Cubs rally falls short in 9-7 loss to Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Ted Lilly took the mound for the Cubs on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Scouts from both leagues watched Lilly go out and give up 7 runs in 32/3 innings as the Cubs fell behind the Dodgers 3-1 in the second inning. The Cubs staged a ninth-inning rally but still came up short 9-7.

With the Cubs all but out of the playoff race and virtually conceding that they'll be sellers in the trade market, the question that will arise each time Lilly takes the ball will be: Is this is last start as a Cub? At least one Cub hopes not.

"Absolutely," said veteran pitcher Ryan Dempster. "You hate to see rumors like that this time of year because it means your team is not doing as well as you'd like especially when it's a quality teammate and a quality individual like him. I hope that's not the case, and I hope he's here not just this year but past this year.

"He's a guy that's always accountable for whatever he does. Ultimately, when he comes here every day, he wants the team to win whether he's pitching or not. That's the great thing about him."

With the trade of Cliff Lee from Seattle to Texas happening earlier Friday, Lilly could become an option for contending teams. An impending free agent, Lilly doesn't have a burdensome contract, and he could serve as an attractive two-month rental.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has been a buyer more than a seller in recent years, but he says he doesn't worry about the rumor mill affecting the team's players as they go about playing the games every day.

"I've been on both sides of it," Hendry said. "Obviously, it's been awhile since we've been this far back in July. I've never given that part of it much of a concern. I think our players are realistic.

"What's hard for me is I thought we'd be doing a lot better. I really like the action of July. I don't think that's been any secret. We've had years where we've made some really great deals in July. I like doing that a lot. I've got real good help. We've always liked the action of it. When we've been close or been in the lead, I think it's a good thing when your players know that the front office can deliver somebody that helps. It's been a boost in the clubhouse in the past."

Lilly suffered through his second straight rough outing. The Cubs managed a 1-0 lead in the second after loading the bases with nobody out.

In the bottom of the inning, Russell Martin hit a 3-run homer to left-center. The Cubs got a run back in the third, but the Dodgers put 3 more on the board in the home half, with a Lilly fielding error contributing to the damage. Lilly left in the fourth after giving up an RBI single to Andre Ethier. He said trade rumors have no affect on him.

"I've got my hands full just getting guys out," he said. "I'm busy doing that. I've got to go out there and get hitters out regardless of anything else that's going on."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Bruce Miles' game tracker</p>

<p class="News">Dodgers 9, Cubs 7</p>

<p class="News"><b>Not so quality:</b> Lefty Ted Lilly suffered through his second straight non-quality start, giving up 7 hits and 7 runs (5 earned) in 32/3 innings. It came on the heels of Lilly giving up 9 runs to the Reds on the Fourth of July.</p>

<p class="News"><b>On the ropes:</b> The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out in the second against Chad Billingsley, but got only an RBI groundout from Mike Fontenot as Koyie Hill and Lilly struck out to end the inning. They left the bases loaded in the third. </p>

<p class="News"><b>A diet of Atkins:</b> Mitch Atkins relieved Ted Lilly, putting into question the possibility of Atkins making a spot start Sunday. Atkins worked 11/3 innings. </p>