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Martin, Dodgers continue playoff push against Cubs

Sep 4, 2007 - 2:10 PM LA Dodgers (72-65) at Chicago Cubs (70-66) 8:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Russell Martin and the Los Angeles Dodgers look to continue their postseason push Tuesday when they visit the Chicago Cubs.

The Dodgers have won two straight games and six of their last eight contests, including Monday's 11-3 triumph in the series opener. They enter Tuesday's contest three games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks (76-63) in the National League wild card chase.

Martin went 2-for-2 with two RBI in the game and is batting .297 with 17 home runs and 81 RBI this season. The Canadian All-Star also has 21 stolen bases - the most among catchers in the majors.

On Tuesday, Martin will catch Dodgers ace Brad Penny (14-4, 2.88 ERA), who is winless in his last three starts. The 29-year-old righthander has not faced the Cubs this season and owns a 2.60 ERA in seven career starts vs. Chicago.

Penny will face a Cubs team which owns a 1 1/2-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers (69-68) in the NL Central Division.

Alfonso Soriano homered and doubled Monday for Chicago, which fell to 4-3 on its 10-game homestand.

The Cubs hope to improve that mark Tuesday when they send Steve Trachsel (NR) to the mound. A member of the Cubs for parts of seven seasons from 1993-1999, Trachsel was acquired last week from the Baltimore Orioles for two minor leaguers.

Trachsel went 60-69 with a 4.35 ERA in 187 appearances - 186 starts - with the Cubs and owns a 4.13 career ERA at Wrigley Field. The 36-year-old righthander made 25 starts with the Orioles this season, going 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA.