"Chad Billingsley's troubles appear to be in the rear-view mirror.

The Dodgers lost four of the first six games Billingsley started this season. Since then, the Dodgers have won seven of his last nine starts.

Billingsley made his final start before the All-Star break a good one. He struck out nine and allowed four runs through seven-plus innings.

The Dodgers had a big lead but hung on to win 9-7 in front of 43,970 over the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Dodger Stadium.

Clayton Kershaw will be first in the pitching rotation after the All-Star break, but Billingsley will be next. Billingsley has come a long way since his early-season funk and improved to 7-4.

"Billingsley, he's been fun to watch," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "To me, he's back to the guy I heard about before I came on board. He's been competing for about his last seven starts. He's been terrific. He really has been."

Billingsley started the eighth inning and allowed a leadoff single to Marlon Byrd. Torre then replaced Billingsley, who got a nice reception from Dodgers fans, with reliever George Sherrill. "