• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Lilly gets first start since controversial ejection

Jun 15, 2007 - 1:03 PM San Diego (38-27) at Chicago Cubs (30-35) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ted Lilly will look to give the Chicago Cubs a three-game winning streak when they host the San Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

This will be the first start for Lilly since being ejected in the first inning of a 5-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. After striking out both Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar to begin the game, the lefthander was tossed after hitting Edgar Renteria with a pitch, causing the benches and bullpens to clear.

Lilly (4-4, 3.96 ERA) has struggled recently, posting an 0-2 record and giving up 17 runs - 16 earned - over 17 innings in his last four starts.

Cesar Izturis' two-run double in the eighth inning lifted the Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.

The Padres will counter with David Wells (3-3, 4.76), who did not receive a decision in his previous start, a 6-5 loss to the Mariners on Saturday. The 44-year-old Wells pitched six innings and yielded three runs and six hits.

San Diego is also looking for a three-game winning streak after Justin Germano pitched six scoreless innings in a 7-1 triumph over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Thursday.