Dodgers News: Grandal Credits Phillies For Capitalizing On Opportunities

After Jimmy Rollins faced his former team for the first time Monday night, it was Chad Billingsley’s opportunity to do the same Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Billingsley largely quieted the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing two runs in six innings of a game the Philadelphia Phillies went on to win handedly.

The pair of runs Billingsley allowed came on one swing of the bat by Yasmani Grandal in the sixth inning. “It was a changeup that kind ran back over [the plate],” Grandal said of the pitch he hit that bounced off the center field fence and into the pavilion.

“I didn’t really think the ball was going to be out since I hit it to one of the deepest part of the park. I was definitely thinking second on that. I think Billingsley did a really good job today.” The home run cut the Phillies’ lead to 6-2, and the Dodgers never pulled any closer.

Brett Anderson allowed four runs in five innings, though wasn’t hit particularly hard. “I think we sequenced them perfectly, but we made a couple of mistakes and they made us pay,” Grandal said. “I don’t think there were too many hard-hit balls. It’s just a matter of executing at the right time.”

A pair of infield singles in the first inning played a role in the Phillies taking a 1-0 lead they never relinquished. “It’s always frustrating when you make a good pitch and they’re out in front and they get a base hit,” Grandal said of the soft hits. “But, that’s why this game is so fun. You don’t have to give it the best swing you can to get a base hit.”

Grandal also dismissed the notion of the Phillies being a weak team given they own the worst record in the Majors. “Obviously we feel like we should be winning these games, but at the same time they’re a Major League team,” he said. “They know how to play the game just as good as we do and that’s the reason why they’re here. We can’t take anybody lightly.”

Despite the loss and the San Francisco Giants’ win, the Dodgers’ hold a four-game lead in the National League West with five games to play before the All-Star break.

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