SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The San Francisco Giants are facing a different Los Angeles Dodgers team this time around. The results have been different, too.

Matt Kemp homered among his four hits and drove in four runs, Chad Billingsley took a two-hitter into the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Giants 10-0 on Saturday.

Advertisement

The Giants shut out the Dodgers three straight games during their visit to AT&T Park last month. With the return of Kemp and the addition of Hanley Ramirez, Giant pitchers are finding it difficult to get two consecutive outs.

``They were missing a few components the last time we played them,' San Francisco starter Barry Zito said. ``It's a solid lineup and a good challenge.'

Ramirez had three RBIs in helping the Dodgers beat the Giants for the second straight day to pull within a game of the NL West-leading Giants.

``I think we pretty evenly matched with we're running on all cylinders,' Zito said. ``Obviously we're not on all cylinders at this time but we're just excited to be coming down to the wire here. This is what baseball is all about.'

Billingsley (6-9) drove in a run for Los Angeles with a sacrifice fly. He gave up leadoff doubles to Buster Posey in the second and Angel Pagan in the fifth, the only baserunners he allowed through seven innings. He gave up two more hits and was lifted with one out in the eighth.

``It looks like he has gotten back on track,' Giants' manager Bruce Bochy said. ``He hit his spots. It was a well-pitched game.'

Zito (8-7) gave up four runs on seven hits over 5 1-3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.

The Dodgers got to Zito right away. Mark Ellis opened the game with a sharp single and, one out later, Kemp hit his 15th home run of the year, a drive that sailed halfway up the left field bleachers.

``Kemp has been swinging the bat well,' Zito said. ``He took a good swing on a good pitch. It was right where I wanted it.'

Marco Scutaro, in his first game with the Giants, and Brandon Crawford each singled with one out in the eighth, prompting Billingsley's exit. Javy Guerra came on to get the final five outs.

NOTES: Zito has a first-inning ERA of 6.30. ... Giants INF Pablo Sandoval (left hamstring strain) was placed on the DL retroactive to July 25 and INF Emmanuel Burriss was designated for assignment to make room for Scutaro and Aubrey Huff, who was activated from the DL. ... The Giants suffered their largest deficit in a shutout at home against the Dodgers since an 11-0 loss at Candlestick Park on June 21, 1997.