Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Tyler Colvin's run-scoring double in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the only offense, as the Chicago Cubs edged the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1-0, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
Cubs Need Little Offense To Beat Dodgers Behind Ted Lilly, 1-0
Mike Fontenot, who replaced injured third baseman Jeff Baker (right eye), tripled to start the eighth and scored on Colvin's two-bagger for Chicago, which has won four of its last five and has lost only three times in the last 11 games overall.
Colvin had only one plate appearance, as he came in the game in the top of the eighth as part of a double switch.
Ted Lilly worked seven solid innings but did not factor in the decision. The veteran left-hander scattered three hits, issued three walks and fanned five. Sean Marshall (5-1) picked up the win with a scoreless eighth. Carlos Marmol locked the game down in the ninth to record his 11th save of the season.
“That can be a good thing and a bad thing, it depends on what approach you take and how you’re making pitches,” Lilly said about the wind blowing in. “I don’t think you can get too complacent and just lay it in there either. These are some of the best hitters in the world.”
Casey Blake had two of the five hits for the Dodgers, who have dropped three of their last four but have still won 15 of the last 20 contests overall.
“We put together a pretty good defensive game, but sometimes you just come up on the short end,” Ely said.
Starting pitching dominated from the outset, with both starters combining to allow only five hits over the first seven innings.
Marshall replaced Lilly in the top of the eighth and surrendered a pair of singles, leaving runners on first and second with one out. The left-hander settled down to retire Blake on a soft liner to first and got James Loney on a ground ball to second to end the threat.
In the bottom of the eighth, Fontenot tripled down the right field line, and two batters later Colvin hit a double just inside the first base bag that scored Fontenot, with Colvin taking third on an error by right fielder Xavier Paul.
Ely was then lifted in favor of Jeff Weaver, who set down Ryan Theriot on a pop up and fanned Starlin Castro.
Marmol took the hill for the ninth and issued a one-out walk to Blake DeWitt before striking out pinch-hitters Manny Ramirez and Garret Anderson to preserve the win.
Los Angeles took five of eight matchups with the Cubs a year ago and despite the loss has won eight of the past 14 meetings between the storied franchises...The Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Justin Miller from Triple-A Albuquerque prior to the game and designated veteran pitcher Ramon Ortiz for assignment.
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