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The Dodgers are 24-7 in their last 31 home games against the Pirates.
The Los Angeles Dodgers face an old friend on Saturday night as James McDonald makes his return to Los Angeles, starting for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. Ted Lilly starts for the Dodgers.
McDonald was the Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year in both 2007 and 2008 as a starter, then provided quality relief work for the major league club in 2009 with a 2.72 ERA out of the bullpen with nearly a strikeout per inning. He had the inside track to a spot in the starting rotation in 2010, but after faltering in spring training he was sent to the minors. A combination of injuries and underperformance limited McDonald to eight major league innings with the Dodgers.
But that didn't mean McDonald didn't have value going forward, especially since he had already proven his ability to pitch in relief. Yet general manager traded McDonald, along with outfielder Andrew Lambo, to the Pirates at the 2010 trade deadline for reliever Octavio Dotel. Five years of a cost-controlled pitcher for 19 relief innings.
McDonald is 9-8 this season with a 4.09 ERA this season for the Pirates.
Lilly has been pitching well since the beginning of August, with a 2.77 ERA in his last eight starts, with 18 walks and 45 strikeouts in 48 innings.
Saturday night's 7:10 p.m. PDT contest will be televised by Prime Ticket. For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read True Blue LA.
Dodgers Vs. Pirates: Home Runs Back Ted Lilly In 6-1 Win
Ted Lilly pitched seven strong innings, and was backed by a strong performance from the offense as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in the third game of a four-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers hit two home runs in the first three innings to chase former Dodger James McDonald, who lasted just three innings against his old team.
James Loney, who hit a pinch-hit three-run home run on Friday night against the Pirates, started on Saturday and did the same in his first at-bat, hitting a fastball into the right field pavilion for a 3-0 lead. Juan Rivera hit a two-run shot off McDonald in the third inning.
Lilly continued his good run of late, allowing just one run in seven innings, while striking out seven. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last nine starts, and since the beginning of August has a 2.59 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 56 innings.
Matt Kemp had two hits of his own, and stole second base in the sixth inning. It was the 40th stolen base of the season for Kemp, who also has 33 home runs. Kemp is the 25th player in the 128-year history of the Dodgers to have 40 steals in a season. Kemp also scored his 100th run of the season tonight, giving him the 10th season by a Los Angeles Dodger with 100 runs and 100 RBI.
Pittsburgh rallied in the eighth inning, loading the bases with one out down 6-1 against relief pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. However, Kenley Jansen came in and struck out Ryan Ludwick and Garrett Jones to end the inning, and the Bucs' chances.
Chad Billingsley starts the series finale for the Dodgers on Sunday, facing Brad Lincoln.
For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read True Blue LA.
Sep 17 10:34p by Eric Stephen