For awhile it looked like Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley had Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals in the bag. He completely baffled the Nats for the first two innings and his offense was able to tag Nationals starter Chien-Ming Wang for four runs early. However, Billingsley melted down in the third inning and the Nationals were able to rally back.
It started with the first hit of the game for the Nationals in the third inning. Shortstop Ian Desmond led off the inning with a lead off single. It was followed by an impressive, lengthy at-bat from second baseman Steve Lombardozzi who battled Billingsley for 12 pitches, eight of them foul offs before finally grounding out. Perhaps the at-bat tired Billingsley out because during the next at bat, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman doubled to score Desmond. Zimmerman then scored on a RBI double from left fielder Michael Morse to make it 2-0. To put the comeback on track, centerfielder Jayson Werth then hit his 19th home run of the season, a two-run shot to tie the game 4-4.
The next batter, right fielder Rick Ankiel also hit a double that chased Billingsley from the game.
It is all tied up at Nationals Park going into the fourth inning.