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Richard tries to pitch Padres past Dodgers

Apr 8, 2011 - 3:06 PM (Sports Network) - Clayton Richard will try to continue his mastery of the Los Angeles Dodgers this evening, when the San Diego Padres open a three-game set against their National League West foes at Petco Park.

Richard has faced the Dodgers five times and is a perfect 4-0 against them while pitching to a 2.56 earned run average. He was 3-0 against Los Angeles last season and shut the Dodgers out the last time he faced them on September 21.

The 27-year-old left-hander picked up a win in his initial start of the 2011 season Saturday in St. Louis, as he allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. He even helped his cause by knocking in two runs at the plate in the 11-3 triumph.

San Diego, which has won its last five home games against the Dodgers, enters tonight's contest on the heels of splitting a two-game series against the defending world champion San Francisco Giants. After winning the opener of that set, the Padres were stymied by Tim Lincecum in an 8-4 setback.

Padres starter Tim Stauffer (0-1) was tagged for four runs on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout over 4 2/3 innings of action.

"We just couldn't break through against Lincecum and get anything going," said San Diego manager Bud Black. "That's the way it goes sometimes when you face a pitcher of his caliber."

Los Angeles, meanwhile, has dropped three of four since beating the Giants in two straight to start the season, and comes into tonight's tilt reeling after getting swept in a two-game set by the Colorado Rockies. On Wednesday, the Dodgers fell by a 7-5 score and starter Chad Billingsley lasted just three innings, allowing five runs on six hits while striking out three.

"This is just one of those days," Billingsley said of his outing. "It's tough to pitch when you are behind in the count."

Los Angeles will hoping for a better effort tonight from lefty Ted Lilly, who was awful in his season debut. Lilly was hit hard by the Giants on Saturday, as he allowed four runs and six hits in just 4 2/3 innings.

"He was okay early, but he ran into trouble and couldn't stop the bleeding," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

Lilly was 1-1 against the Padres last season, but is 6-3 lifetime against them with a 3.06 ERA in 11 games, 10 of which have been starts.

San Diego was 10-8 against the Dodgers a year ago, but won six of the final seven matchups.