The Dodgers had a chance for their first four-game winning streak of the season on Wednesday. Unfortunately for them, Ted Lilly was starting a day game, which rendered that all but impossible. Lilly gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings to the Tigers, who won 7-5 to salvage one game at Dodger Stadium.
Lilly also struck out eight batters on the day, but also surrendered three home runs, both tying season highs. The southpaw is 0-4 with a 7.11 ERA in six daytime starts this season, and has allowed nine home runs in 31 2/3 innings. The Dodgers have lost all six of Lilly's daytime starts this year.
Al Alburquerque pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings to pick up the win in relief for the Tigers. Jose Valverde loaded the bases full of Dodgers with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but got out of the jam for his 17th save. Casper Wells, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera all went deep off Lilly, and Don Kelly added an insurance run with a solo homer off Matt Guerrier in the eighth inning to close out the scoring.
The Dodgers have won all three interleague series against the Tigers at Dodger Stadium two games to one. Matt Kemp reached base all five times, with three hits and two walks, and even had a triple and a stolen base, his 21st of the season. Kemp is hitting .328/.420/.620 on the season. James Loney had three hits and a walk for the Dodgers. Both teams are off on Thursday, and the Dodgers open a three game set with the Angels on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
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