(My Sportsbook) - Ted Lilly will try to get back on track when he takes the mound tonight for the
Chicago Cubs in the opener of a three-game series against the
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Lilly won his first two starts of the season before losing his last outing on April 22 versus Cincinnati. In a 3-0 loss to the Reds, Lilly was reached for five hits and one unearned run over seven innings to fall to 2-1 in 2009 with a 2.41 earned run average.
The left-hander, who hasn't given up an earned run in two straight starts, is 2-2 with a 3.10 ERA in six career games (four starts) against Arizona.
Chicago ended a four-game losing streak with Sunday's 10-3 triumph over the rival St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of a three-game series. Kosuke Fukudome hit a three-run homer and finished with five RBI and two runs scored for the Cubs. Micah Hoffpauir had two hits, including a homer, and two RBI after replacing Derrek Lee, who left following the first inning with neck spasms. Lee is expected to be back in the lineup Monday.
Cubs starter Rich Harden earned the win after allowing only two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings, while striking out nine batters. Harden helped Chicago improve to 1-2 on a six-game road trip.
Arizona will continue a nine-game homestand and salvaged the finale of a three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants with Sunday's 5-4 victory in 12 innings. Conor Jackson's bases-loaded single in the 12th inning lifted the Diamondbacks to victory and Justin Upton sent the game to extra innings with a two-run homer in the ninth.
Mark Reynolds homered and ended with two RBI and starting pitcher Jon Garland did not factor in the decision after yielding four runs and 10 hits over 7 1/3 innings of work. Juan Gutierrez earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief for Arizona, which is 3-3 so far on the residency.
Dan Haren will try for back-to-back winning starts when he toes the rubber for the D'Backs on Monday. Haren had lost his first three outings of the season before bouncing back with a win over Colorado the last time out on April 22. He held the Rockies to six hits through seven shutout innings and struck out nine batters with two walks.
The right-hander hasn't fared too well in his career against the Cubs, going 0-2 with an 8.04 earned run average in three appearances.
Chicago went 4-2 against Arizona last season, but had a 1-2 record in the desert.