Cubs win pitchers' duel to take series with Dodgers

Baseball Betting Lines

05/27/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tyler Colvin's run-scoring double in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the only offense, as the Chicago Cubs edged the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1-0, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Mike Fontenot, who replaced injured third baseman Jeff Baker (right eye), tripled to start the eighth and scored on Colvin's two-bagger for Chicago, which has won four of its last five and has lost only three times in the last 11 games overall.

Colvin had only one plate appearance, as he came in the game in the top of the eighth as part of a double switch

Ted Lilly worked seven solid innings but did not factor in the decision. The veteran left-hander scattered three hits, issued three walks and fanned five. Sean Marshall (5-1) picked up the win with a scoreless eighth. Carlos Marmol locked the game down in the ninth to record his 11th save of the season.

Casey Blake had two of the five hits for the Dodgers, who have dropped three of their last four but have still won 15 of the last 20 contests overall.

John Ely (3-2) was the hard-luck loser for allowing one run on four hits in 7 1/3 innings of work. The rookie righty, who was making his first career start against the Cubs, struck out four and walked a pair.

Starting pitching dominated from the outset, with both starters combining to allow only five hits over the first seven innings.

Marshall replaced Lilly in the top of the eighth and surrendered a pair of singles, leaving runners on first and second with one out. The left-hander settled down to retire Blake on a soft liner to second and got James Loney on a ground ball to second to end the threat.

In the bottom of the eighth, Fontenot tripled down the right field line, and two batters later Colvin hit a double just inside the first base bag that scored Fontenot, with Colvin taking third on an error by right fielder Xavier Paul.

Ely was then lifted in favor of Jeff Weaver, who set down Ryan Theriot on a pop up and fanned Starlin Castro.

Marmol took the hill for the ninth and issued a one-out walk to Blake DeWitt before striking out pinch-hitters Manny Ramirez and Garret Anderson to preserve the win.

Game Notes

Los Angeles took five of eight matchups with the Cubs a year ago and despite the loss has won eight of the past 14 meetings between the storied franchises...The Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Justin Miller from Triple-A Albuquerque prior to the game and designated veteran pitcher Ramon Ortiz for assignment.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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