Dodgers Find A Hole They Couldn't Climb Out Of In Desert

The Dodgers on Wednesday again staged a rally, scoring three runs to pull closer to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, however, Arizona was already ahead by 10 runs before the seventh. Ted Lilly had his first true stinker start of the season in the finale of their three-game series at Chase Field, an 11-4 loss that snapped their six-game winning streak.

The Diamondbacks scored two runs in the first inning off Lilly, two more in the second, then another in the third. Unfortunately for Lilly the third inning was his best of the night. Arizona scored three more runs in the fourth inning, and another three runs in the fifth, with the former coming off Lilly, who allowed a double, two triples, and a home run on Wednesday.

Lilly came into the night having allowed nine earned runs (and 15 total runs) in his seven starts this season, but allowed eight runs on nine hits and five walks on the night, while recording just 10 outs.

Before Lilly on Wednesday, the last Dodger to allow 14 base runners without pitching at least four innings was Tommy John against Montreal on June 9, 1978.

Elian Herrera, playing center field for the first time and hitting leadoff for the first time in the majors, had a pair of doubles on the night, and has had a hit in all six of his starts. The last Dodger to have two doubles in a game within his first 10 career games was Tony Abreu on June 2, 2007 against Pittsburgh.

A.J. Ellis hit a solo home run in the fourth inning for the Dodgers, his fourth of the season. Ellis has as many home runs this season, in 140 plate appearances, than he had in his previous three seasons combined, in 925 PA between Los Angeles and Triple A.

The Dodgers ended their run of 13 games in 13 days at 10-3 on Wednesday. They begin a string of 20 games in 20 days on Friday.

Up Next

The Dodgers are off Thursday, but return home for a seven-game homestand beginning with the Houston Astros on Friday night. Clayton Kershaw starts the opener as the Dodgers try to snap their one-game losing streak, and Lucas Harrell gets the call for Houston.

Tonight's Particulars

Home Runs: A.J. Ellis (4); Ryan Roberts (3), Justin Upton (5)

WP - Joe Saunders (3-3): 6 1/3 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts

LP - Ted Lilly (5-1): 3 1/3 IP, 9 hits, 8 runs, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts