Lilly retires last 20 batters in Dodgers debut

[August 04, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ted Lilly outpitched Mat Latos with seven superb innings in his first start for the team that drafted him 14 years ago, and the Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Lilly (3-9) allowed two hits, struck out five, walked none and retired his final 20 batters before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter after 87 pitches. The 34-year-old left-hander was obtained on Saturday from the Cubs with infielder Ryan Theriot in a deal that sent second baseman Blake DeWitt and two minor leaguers to Chicago.

The only run off Lilly came with one out in the first when Miguel Tejada hit his eighth homer of the season and first since joining the Padres last Thursday in a trade with Baltimore.

Adrian Gonzalez followed with a single -- the last Padres hit until the ninth, when Jerry Hairston Jr. led off with a broken-bat single against Jonathan Broxton.

Broxton pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 25 attempts. In his previous 11 appearances beginning on June 27, the All-Star closer had allowed 12 earned runs, 15 hits and eight walks over 10 2-3 innings, had blown two of his six save opportunities and was charged with three losses.

Los Angeles is the sixth team Lilly has pitched for in his 12-year career, although the Dodgers selected him in the 23rd round of the 1996 draft. In his four previous career starts at Dodger Stadium, the two-time All-Star gave up 15 earned runs and five homers in 14 2-3 innings and was 0-2. This is his second tour of duty with manager Joe Torre, having pitched parts of three seasons with the Yankees (2000-02).

Latos (11-5) allowed two runs and four hits over six innings and struck out six on the way to his first loss since June 4, after going 6-0 in his previous eight starts. The 22-year-old right-hander, who came in with the second-best opponents batting average in the majors (.195), is 10-2 with a 1.66 ERA in his last 15 outings.

Latos issued his only two walks of the game in the second inning and both scored on a double by Russell Martin, whose drive to right-center got past center fielder Chris Denorfia's diving attempt. Martin advanced on a wild pitch and tried to score after Jamey Carroll's fly to center, but Nick Hundley got a one-hop throw from Denorfia and tagged out Martin as he came in standing up.

NOTES: LF Manny Ramirez's anticipated minor league rehab assignment has been delayed at least one more week, as he recovers from a right calf strain that put him on the DL for the third time this season. He is in the final season of a two-year, $45 million contract with Los Angeles. ... The Dodgers recalled RHP Ramon Troncoso from Triple-A Albuqerque and placed RHP Jeff Weaver on the 15-day DL because of tendinitis in his left knee. ... Carroll started at SS for the Dodgers in place of All-Star Rafael Furcal, who strained his back while making a throw in Monday's 10-5 loss and underwent an MRI on Tuesday. Furcal was limited to 36 games in 2008 because of a back injury that forced him to undergo surgery. ... Tejada's homer was the 20th allowed this season by Lilly, the eighth straight season in which he has surrendered at least that many. Two years ago with the Cubs, he gave up a career-worst 32 and still finished that season with a 17-9 record.

[Associated Press]

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