Thu May 15 16:33:35 2008

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Sheets' meltdown helps Dodgers rout Brewers

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Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Gary Bennett clubbed a three-run home run and doubled, and Chad Billingsley fired seven-plus innings of one-run ball as the Los Angeles Dodgers topped the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-2, in the finale of a three-game set at Miller Park.

Bennett wasn't initially scheduled to start, but third baseman Blake DeWitt was a late scratch with lower back pain. Russell Martin moved from catcher to third, and Bennett -- who hadn't started since May 3 -- got the call behind the plate.

Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent each hit solo homers for the Dodgers, who have won two straight after five-game losing streak. Martin went 2-for-4, knocked in a run and scored once, while James Loney tripled.

Billingsley (3-5) allowed just three hits, while striking out five and walking four.

On the day he signed an eight-year, $45 million contract, Ryan Braun homered for the Brewers, who have lost two straight after a three-game win streak. Ben Sheets (4-1) threw six shutout innings before imploding in the seventh and was charged with six runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 frames.

The Los Angeles offense couldn't solve Sheets, piecing together just three singles until the seventh, before exploding for six runs and three homers in the frame.

Jones -- who has lost playing time recently in favor of the red-hot Matt Kemp -- led off with a fly ball that just cleared the wall in left to give the Dodgers the lead. One out later, Kent unloaded with another home run to left, and Loney followed with a slicing liner to left that was just out of the reach of a sliding Braun and skipped to the corner for a triple.

Martin then grounded an RBI single through the left side of the infield, and Luis Maza's first major league hit moved Martin to third. Bennett then blew the game open, launching a three-run shot to left for a 6-0 Los Angeles lead before Seth McClung came on to retire the side.

Jason Kendall tripled to start the eighth, and after a walk to Rickie Weeks ended Billingsley's day, Kendall scored when J.J. Hardy hit into a double play. Braun followed with a solo homer off Jonathan Broxton, but Bennett added an RBI double in the ninth to put the game out of reach.

Milwaukee was without a hit until Sheets lined a two-out single up the middle in the fifth.

Game Notes

Bennett had a season-high four RBI...Before the game, the Brewers placed reliever David Riske on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow. The Brewers purchased the contract of pitcher Mike DeFelice from Triple-A Nashville to take Riske's roster spot...Both teams begin interleague play on Friday, with the Dodgers heading to Anaheim to face the Angels, while the Brewers travel to Boston for three games with the Red Sox...Attendance was 30,444.