"This version of the Dodgers offense didn't leave much of a carbon footprint, being battery-powered and all.

With pitcher Chad Billingsley turning in a hybrid performance - dominant pitching as well as a hit to drive in the winning runs - and catcher Rod Barajas slugging another home run, the Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, on Friday.

"That's how smart I am in making a batting order," Manager Joe Torre said jokingly. "Eighth and ninth in the batting order drive in four runs."

The Dodgers remain eight games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild-card race and now trail slumping San Diego, which has lost eight in a row, by the same amount in the NL West.

Billingsley (11-8) extended to nine his string of starts allowing three runs or fewer, although a lack of run support means he has won just four of those games. He surrendered just two hits and no earned runs in eight innings, striking out seven and walking two."