Lilly struggles as Cubs lose to Reds

The theory that the Cubs are in dire straits if their two left-handed starters can't turn their seasons around is one few in the organization will speak of openly.

Ted Lilly and Rich Hill combined for 26 victories last year but have struggled to establish the stuff that made them successful in 2007.

"We need to get some innings out of them and have them pitching the way they're capable of," manager Lou Piniella said before Thursday's 9-2 loss to the Reds.

"We'll get a good preview today from Lilly and [Friday] we'll have Hill. We'll have a much better idea of the progression by tomorrow."

Lilly failed to impress, putting more pressure on Hill for his Friday start against the Pirates.

Lilly allowed five runs on six hits and three walks in a six-inning effort against the Reds, giving up a three-run double in the fourth on an 86-m.p.h. fastball to Joey Votto and a two-run homer to Votto in the sixth on a fat pitch that was clocked at 84.

"He pitched better today," Piniella said. "It was an improvement, but obviously the results don't show it.

"I think he's on his way, so from that standpoint, I'm pleased."

Lilly, 0-3 with a 9.16 earned-run average, was blunt in his assessment of his performance.

"It's baffling," he said. "My confidence is still there, for the most part.

"Obviously, I'm not as confident as if I were 4-0, but I still feel good about what I'm capable of doing. I'm just losing patience as far as wanting to give us a solid outing and a chance to win. I certainly owe that to my teammates."

Lilly's velocity has been down 2 or 3 m.p.h. from last year, according to Piniella, but Lilly said that shouldn't be an excuse for his poor outings. He has no arm problems and offers no excuses.

"There were times when I was throwing the ball a little better," he said. "But ultimately the end result is whether we win or lose.

"This is my fourth opportunity to help us win and I wasn't able to do that."

The Cubs offense also shut down against Reds rookie Edinson Volquez, going 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Leadoff hitter Mike Fontenot stranded seven baserunners.

"Fontenot left a lot of people on today," Piniella said. "He hit a lot of balls hard."

Fontenot is 2-for-15 since moving into the leadoff spot Tuesday after Alfonso Soriano's injury.

Before the game, Piniella said he had no desire to move Kosuke Fukudome into the leadoff spot.

"I think we're fine," Piniella said. "We're 9-5 the way we are with Fukudome hitting fifth. Let's just leave it like that for now."

Henry Blanco missed a sign in the fourth that helped squelch a potential rally with the Cubs down 3-1 and Votto put the game out of reach with a two-run shot off Lilly in the sixth.

Ken Griffey Jr.'s three-run homer off Jon Lieber in the seventh, the 596th of his career, turned the contest into a rout.

Now it's up to Hill to do what Lilly failed to do.

"There are some teams in our division and in the National League where left-handers have to get you some wins," Piniella said.

"We need to get both of them straightened out."

psullivan@tribune.com

Related topic galleries: Kosuke Fukudome, Lou Piniella, Major League Baseball, National League, Henry Blanco, Rich Hill, Ted Lilly

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