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Lilly looks for win No. 14, get Cubs back on track

Sep 5, 2007 - 3:20 PM LA Dodgers (73-65) at Chicago Cubs (70-67) 8:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Ted Lilly has been arguably the most consistent pitcher in the Chicago Cubs' rotation. He will put that reputation on the line when Cubs continue their four-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

With the Dodgers taking the first two games of the series, the Cubs have seen their lead in the National League Central cut to just one-half game over the Milwaukee Brewers (70-68).

Ted Lilly (13-7, 3.89 ERA) will look to solve Chicago's struggles, and end his own in the process. The lefthander is winless in his last four starts as he attempts to match his career high in wins (15) accomplish with the Toronto Blue Jays last year.

In his last outing, Lilly allowed three runs and five hits in five innings, but did not figure in a 5-4 win over the Brewers on Thursday.

Prior to his slump, Lilly had been 9-1 with a 3.04 ERA in 11 starts from June 15 to August 9.

The Dodgers, who stand three games behind the San Diego Padres in the NL West and three behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the wild card, have won their last three games following a 6-2 win on Tuesday. Brad Penny posted his 15th win behind seven strong innings, ruining the return of Steve Trachsel to Chicago.

The Dodgers will turn to Eric Stults (1-2, 4.23), who was one of five Los Angeles players to be recalled from Class AAA Las Vegas on Tuesday, to start this contest in place of David Wells, who is serving a seven-game suspension for arguing with an umpire while he was still a member of the Padres.

Stults has made seven appearances and three starts for the Dodgers this season, including a 4-3 defeat to the New York Mets on August 25 in which the lefthander surrendered three runs and five hits over 4 2/3 innings. He will be facing the Cubs for the first time in his career.