Los Angeles @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( May 12, 2011 ) LA Dodgers 0, Pittsburgh 0

THE STORY: The red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers kick off an 11-game road trip Thursday at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates as they make up the contest that was rained out on May 12. Los Angeles has won eight of its last nine games, scoring a total of 59 runs during that span. The Pirates return home after finishing a 1-6 road trip with four straight losses. Pittsburgh goes right back on the road Friday for a three-game series at Chicago.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Dana Eveland (NR) vs. Pirates RH Brad Lincoln (1-0, 3.42 ERA).

Eveland is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque and make his debut with the Dodgers. The 27-year old has gone 12-8 with a 4.38 ERA and two complete games with the Isotopes this season. Eveland split last year with Toronto and Pittsburgh, posting a combined 3-5 record with a 6.79 ERA in 10 starts and two relief appearances.

Lincoln will be making his fourth start of the season. After a pair of no-decisions, the 26-year old tossed six scoreless innings at St. Louis on Saturday en route to his second career victory. Lincoln has allowed four runs over 18 innings in his three starts this year.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (62-74): Pittsburgh managed just four singles in its 2-0 loss at Houston on Wednesday, including one by starting pitcher James McDonald, who entered with four hits in 48 at-bats this season. The Pirates made a pair of trades, sending Matt Diaz to Atlanta and fellow outfielder John Bowker to Philadelphia, each for a player to be named. Diaz, who spent the previous five seasons with the Braves, hit .259 with 19 RBIs in 100 games with Pittsburgh. Bowker appeared in 19 contests with the Pirates in April, going 4-for-27 (.235) with two RBIs.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (65-70): Rookie righthander Josh Lindblom was recalled from Double-A Chattanooga prior to Wednesday's game and relieved starter Ted Lilly, retiring two of the three batters he faced. Lindblom, who went 1-0 with a 2.29 ERA in 16 appearances earlier this season, was brought up to replace Matt Guerrier, who was placed on paternity leave as his wife was expected to give birth Wednesday. Dee Gordon, who has missed three weeks with a bruised shoulder, is expected to be activated from the disabled list prior to Thursday's game.

FINAL PITCH: Los Angeles' Matt Kemp recorded his career-high 102nd RBI in Wednesday's triumph and remained one behind Philadelphia's Ryan Howard for the National League lead. Kemp had 101 RBIs in 2009.