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CHC@LAD: Lilly sharp in one-hit outing vs. Cubs

No one is making any grand comparisons between the 1981 Dodgers and the 2012 club just yet, but a 7-1 record has Los Angeles off to its best start since the '81 world champions opened 9-1.

On Saturday, the Dodgers will look to keep pace against the 2-6 Padres.

Highly touted prospect Joe Wieland will make his Major League debut for San Diego after being acquired in last season's Trade Deadline deal that sent reliever Mike Adams to the Rangers. Wieland will face Dodgers lefty Ted Lilly.

"One of my favorite days is when a guy makes his Major League debut," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Joe will never forget today [Friday, showing up in his first big league clubhouse], and he won't forget tomorrow."

Wieland, who wasn't made available for comment Friday, was pulled from his start Tuesday while pitching for Triple-A Tucson and was told by manager Terry Kennedy that he was heading to the big leagues. His start comes on the day the Padres will need their fifth starter for the first time this year.

In two starts with Tucson, the 22-year-old was 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. He had two walks and 11 strikeouts in that stretch.

"You like the arm and like the delivery," Black said. "In the spring, we saw a guy who has four pitches. I liked his composure, and he looked like a well-rounded player. He showed poise on the mound and is a clear thinker."

Wieland will be facing Lilly, who is 14 years his senior. Lilly returns to the rotation after starting the season on the disabled list with neck stiffness. In his lone rehab start, Lilly struggled, allowing seven runs in six innings.

But most importantly, Lilly said the rehab start let him know that he was healthy enough to pitch. He is coming off a roller-coaster 2011 season that saw him finish 12-14 with a 3.97 ERA.

"It has been a long week, not being able to be out there with the guys," Lilly said. "Everyone wants to get out there, and I am happy I finally am.

"As far as health goes, I really don't have anything that is keeping me from going out there and doing my job. My neck feels really good."

Padres: Using the whole roster
Black likes to say it -- and he did so again on Friday -- "you've got to use your bench, all 25 guys."

On Friday, Black mixed up his lineup, giving Jeremy Hermida his first start of the season in right field, and catcher John Baker his second. Both recorded hits in a 9-8 loss.

The moves gave catcher Nick Hundley -- hitless after his first 24 plate appearances -- and outfielder Jesus Guzman -- hitting .172 in 29 at-bats -- the night off.

• The Padres will have to make a move before officially adding Wieland to the roster on Saturday. They won't have to adjust the 40-man roster, however, because they have an open spot remaining.

There's a chance the team could option a position player to the Minor Leagues and carry a 13-man staff for a few days. Outfielder Mark Kotsay is due to come off the DL on Monday. However, a four-man bench doesn't hold much appeal for Black.

Dodgers: Dazzling on defense
With three Dodgers receiving Gold Glove Awards Friday night, the club continued its sharp defensive play with another error-free game in a walk-off victory. The Dodgers lead the National League in fielding percentage and are tied for fewest errors with two.

"Defense is one of those things that you should be good at every day," manager Don Mattingly said. "It is just a matter of wanting to be a good defensive player. To be in the right spot, to throw to the right base, that is all just a matter of wanting to be a good player. That should be there every night."

• Legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully missed his fourth straight game Friday with a nasty cold, but the club said he is improving and could be back for Saturday's contest.

• Matt Kemp has been on a tear to start the 2012 season, and he added to it with a two-run homer Friday night. Kemp is now hitting .419 with three homers and 11 RBIs.

Worth noting
• The Padres and Dodgers have become accustomed to playing low-scoring games recently, so Friday night's 9-8 final was a bit of a rarity. It was the highest scoring game between the two clubs since an 11-10 extra-inning victory for Los Angeles on Sept. 18, 2006.

• The Dodgers have beaten the Padres in 14 of their last 17 games dating back to last July.

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