• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Dodgers down Braves on strong effort from Lilly

Apr 19, 2011 - 5:56 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Ted Lilly pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Dodgers over the Braves, 4-2, in the first of a four-game set.

James Loney went 2-for-4 with two RBI to help the Dodgers to their second straight victory after a five-game slide.

Lilly (1-2) allowed four hits and two walks while fanning six in his winning effort.

Tim Hudson (2-2) lasted six innings and allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four to hand Atlanta its fourth loss in its last six games.

Los Angeles jumped out to an early three-run lead in the first on a Matt Kemp single that scored Aaron Miles from second after he singled to lead off the game and Casey Blake followed with a walk. James Loney later singled to center to score Blake and Kemp.

"Anytime we can get a lead early on a pretty good pitcher is nice," said Lilly. "I was locating my fastball. I got away with a few mistakes. That said, I think I was a little better tonight."

Jerry Sands' sacrifice fly scored Juan Uribe in the third to extend the lead to 4-0.

Atlanta failed to get a runner to reach third base until the ninth inning.

Jonathan Broxton started the ninth for the Dodgers to finish the game in a non-save situation.

Brian McCann lead off the inning with a single and Dan Uggla followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Freddie Freeman then grounded out to short to push McCann across for the Braves' first run.

Broxton then got Alex Gonzalez to strike out before a Nate McLouth double plated Uggla. Eric Hinske entered the game as a pinch-hitter and Broxton struck him out to end the game.

"After the first inning Tim kept us in the game," said Atlantas manager Fredi Gonzalez. "I thought Lilly was very good. He changed speeds on his fastball, but I liked what I saw with some of our at-bats."

Game Notes

Los Angeles right fielder Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to a major league best 15 games...Lilly is now 6-3 against the Braves for his career...66 of Lilly's 97 pitches went for strikes.