To the victors goes a potential spoiler role as Dodgers beat Giants, 4-2

While the Dodgers cling to slim hopes for postseason play, they’re also trying to spoil the playoff hopes of their archrivals, the San Francisco Giants.

Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley held the Giants to two hits in eight innings and contributed a two-run single to lead the Dodgers past the Giants, 4-2, Friday night at Dodger Stadium in the opening game of their three-game series.

Philadelphia also won, so the Dodgers remained eight games behind the Phillies in the National League wild-card playoff race with 27 games left in the regular season. Meanwhile the Giants, who are second in both the NL West and wild-card races, remained three games back of division leader San Diego and fell to three behind Philadelphia. The Padres lost their eighth consecutive game Friday.

“I was just being aggressive with my fastball and mixing in my curveball,” said Billingsley (11-8), who has allowed no more than three runs in any of his nine starts since July 16.

Hong-Chih Kuo retired the side in the ninth to earn his eighth save.

Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal was back in the lineup for the first time since Aug. 2 after being sidelined because of a low back strain, and his return had mixed results.

Furcal made a splendid play in the second inning, stabbing a Jose Guillen grounder to his right and throwing to second base for a force out.

In the bottom of that inning, Casey Blake singled and catcher Rod Barajas launched a home run to left field, his fourth homer since being acquired by the Dodgers on Aug. 22.

But Furcal opened the door for the Giants to score twice in the fourth inning when he booted Freddy Sanchez’s grounder. Aubrey Huff hit an infield single, the runners eventually reached second and third base and both scored on Buster Posey’s single.

Even so, Furcal’s “timing was good,” Manager Joe Torre said. “I thought his swings were fine. It’s nice to have him back.”

Matt Kemp and Blake walked in the fourth inning against Giants starter Barry Zito (8-11), then moved to second and third on Ronnie Belliard’s sacrifice bunt, and Billingsley drove in both runners with his single.

“I was just trying to put the ball in play and not try to do too much,” Billingsley said.

Manny speaks

Manny Ramirez met with a group of reporters in Boston before his new team, the Chicago White Sox, was to play the Red Sox at Fenway Park (a game later postponed due to rain) and talked about his departures from the Dodgers and, before that, Boston.

According to a transcript provided by the White Sox, Ramirez, when asked about the end of his Dodgers tenure this week, said, “I blame myself because I didn’t stay healthy.” He also said he “never said I wanted to be traded from L.A. They put me on waivers.”

When one reporter asked, “You weren’t happy in L.A.? The fans loved you,” the slugger replied, “I was happy all the time.”

Ramirez also was apologetic for how his tenure in Boston ended on poor terms. “Everything was my fault, but you have to be a real man to realize when you do wrong,” he said. “I’m happy. I’m on a new team.”

Short hops

Torre said “initial indications” from a medical scan this week show catcher Russell Martin won’t need surgery for the season-ending hip injury he suffered last month. . . . Pitcher Vicente Padilla was reinstated from the disabled list and is scheduled to start Monday at San Diego. . . . Reserve catcher A.J. Ellis was recalled from triple-A Albuquerque now that rosters have been expanded. . . . Jon SooHoo, celebrating 25 years as the Dodgers’ team photographer, threw the ceremonial first pitch before Friday’s game. Those congratulating him on the field included owner Frank McCourt, who earlier had finished his fourth day testifying in his divorce trial that could determine the team’s future ownership.

james.peltz@latimes.com