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Dodgers’ new ace, Ted Lilly, too much for Rockies in 2-0 shutout

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So apparently, while no one was looking, the Dodgers did go out and pick up an ace before the trading deadline.

A lights-out, bar-the-doors, you-don’t-have-a-prayer ace.

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Ted Lilly.

Yep, the guy who was 3-8 in 18 starts for the Chicago Cubs is now 4-0 in four starts for the Dodgers. Imagine the Cubs’ surprise.

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He was at it again Thursday night, pitching a masterful complete game, shutting out the Colorado Rockies on two hits in the Dodgers’ 2-0 victory.

With Reed Johnson providing the entire game’s offense with a two-run homer in the second inning, the rest was left to Lilly (7-8 overall).

Lilly gave up a first-inning double and a seventh-inning single, and otherwise completely dominated the Rockies.

He struck out a season-high 11 and walked two. As a Dodger, he lowered his earned-run average to 1.29. It was his third career shutout.

Things could have started much differently for the Dodgers and Lilly.

In the very first inning, Dexter Fowler drilled a hit down the third base line that ricocheted off the rolled-up tarp for a double. Ryan Spilborghs hit a sinking liner to left, but Scott Podsednik made a nice diving catch to steal a hit and save a run.

And Lilly was on his way to retiring 19 consecutive hitters. Which is getting to be something of a habit for him. In his first start as a Dodger, he retired his last 20 Padres.

The Dodgers’ offensive outburst was quick and brief.

Casey Blake walked with one out and Johnson lined his first home run of the season out to left.

Just like that, it was 2-0. And that’s how it would stay.

The Dodgers missed out on a couple of good scoring opportunities against left-hander Jorge De La Rosa.

They led off the bottom of the sixth with a single by Podsednik and a double by Ryan Theriot. With runners at second and third and no outs, Matt Kemp and James Loney grounded out. After an intentional walk to Blake loaded the bases, Johnson bounced into a fielder’s choice.

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Then in the seventh, a walk to Jamey Carroll and an error by Spilborghs on a Brad Ausmus fly gave the Dodgers runners at first and second with no outs. Lilly popped up trying to bunt and Podsednik bounced into a double play.

De La Rosa (4-4) went seven innings, allowing his two runs on five hits and four walks. He struck out three.

-- Steve Dilbeck

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