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Lowe hopes arrival of Maddux sparks another late-season run

Aug 21, 2008 - 10:22 AM Colorado (59-69) at LA Dodgers (64-62) 3:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The first time Greg Maddux joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in midseason, Derek Lowe went on a run unlike any other in his career. The Dodgers hope the recent return of the four-time National League Cy Young Award winner can inspire a similar stretch from his fellow veteran righthander.

Lowe attempts to get back to .500 as the Dodgers look to avoid being swept by the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

Lowe (9-10, 3.99 ERA) was 8-7 with a 4.29 ERA when Los Angeles acquired Maddux from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline in 2006. After his arrival, the sinkerballer finished with an 8-1 rush and 2.19 ERA.

Maddux left the following the season to join the San Diego Padres. Since that exit, the difference has been reflected in Lowe's numbers: he is 21-24 with a 3.93 ERA since the beginning of 2007.

Maddux was re-acquired on Tuesday for two players to be named later and cash considerations.

The Dodgers would be happy if Lowe found his late-2006 groove once again as they are on the verge of suffering a home sweep for the second time this season after the Rockies capitalized on four errors for a 4-3 win on Wednesday.

Lowe did not factor into the decision in his last outing, Saturday's 4-3 loss to Milwaukee despite allowing one run and eight hits over seven frames.

The Rockies will counter with Jorge De La Rosa (6-6, 6.16), who is making his second career start against the Dodgers. The lefthander permitted three runs and six hits over six frames, striking out seven in Friday's 4-3 triumph over Washington.