Dodgers shoot for .500 in capper with Bucs

Chad Billingsley tries to get the Los Angeles Dodgers back game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium.

Billingsley, though, hasn't won since August 5 and is 10-10 on the year with a 4.30 earned run average. He didn't get a decision for the fourth straight time on Tuesday against Arizona, as he allowed three runs and four hits in 6 1/3 frames of a 5-4 loss.

The right-hander has posted a 4-1 mark in nine games (five starts) against the Pirates with a 4.54 ERA.

Los Angeles won its second straight game on Saturday, as James Loney smashed a three-run homer and Juan Rivera clubbed a two-run shot, helping the Dodgers to a 6-1 win.

Jerry Sands collected three hits for Los Angeles, which has won three of its last four games and moved within one game of the break-even mark (75-76). The Dodgers haven't had a winning record since they were 6-5 on April 12.

Ted Lilly (10-14) gave up one run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over seven innings to reach double digits in wins for the ninth straight season.

"I was throwing pitches for strikes," Lilly said. "It's hard for me to feel satisfied when I knew I could have done better. It was a fun game."

Josh Harrison knocked in the lone run for the Pirates, who have dropped seven of nine. James McDonald (9-9) surrendered the home runs to Loney and Rivera among seven hits in three frames.

"He was very effective," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said of Lilly.

Getting the call for the Pirates today will be righty Brad Lincoln, who is 1-2 with a 3.73 ERA. Lincoln didn't get a decision on Monday against St. Louis, as he allowed four runs (three earned) and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-5 win.

Lincoln lost to the Dodgers back on September 1, surrendering three runs and six hits in six innings.

Los Angeles is 5-2 against Pittsburgh this season and has won eight of the previous nine matchups between the two clubs.