Denver, CO (Sports Network) – Ted Lilly pitched eight strong innings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers dealt a devastating blow to Colorado’s slimming playoff hopes with a 3-1 victory in the opener of a three-game series at Coors Field.
Lilly (9-12) scattered four hits, walked two and struck out eight. His lone mistake came in the fourth inning, when Carlos Gonzalez homered to center field. The veteran left-hander had gone 0-4 with a 6.91 ERA in his previous five starts after posting a 1.83 ERA in winning his first five outings with Los Angeles.
Ubaldo Jimenez (19-8) was denied in his second attempt to become Colorado’s first 20-game winner. The right-hander gave up two first-inning runs, but settled down to pitch seven full frames.
The Rockies fell five games behind the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants, who were idle on Monday, and 4 1/2 games back in the wild card race with six games remaining.