The Los Angeles Dodgers began their first long road trip of the season with a 4-1 win against the Washington Nationals, despite some lingering issues from their losing streak.
Offense was once again hard to come by for the Dodgers early in the game as they went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. Most of their opportunities came with runners in scoring position came with two outs, and it was struggles from the top and bottom of their lineup leaving runners stranded.
However, they picked it up in the later innings and did enough to get the job done thanks to the contributions from Kiké Hernández, James Outman and Miguel Rojas.
Hernández tied the game with a single in the sixth inning, with the rally started by a single from Teoscar Hernández and a walk from Max Muncy.
In the eighth, Teoscar Hernández once again walked and then stole second base. With the game tied at 1-1, James Paxton doubled after pinch-hitting for Kiké Hernández to put the Dodgers ahead by one run.
Miguel Rojas then ended up adding some insurance as he singled and took second, which allowed Outman to score. The Dodgers finished the game going 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
In the ninth, the Dodgers added one more run when Shohei Ohtani hit a baseball at 118.7 mph for a home rum. It’s the hardest-hit ball in MLB this season and traveled an estimated 458 feet.
James Paxton made the start and once again turned in mixed results. He was able to throw 4.2 innings while allowing just one run, but he dealt with traffic on the bases and struggled with his control.
The Nationals scored their only run after a double and single put runners at the corners in the second inning, and then a bunt for hit attempt turned into an RBI-infield single.
By the end of his start, Paxton allowed five hits and three walks while only striking out one, and he ran his pitch count up to 89 with just 52 strikes, once again putting pressure on the bullpen to cover additional innings.
He left with two on and was relieved by Michael Grove, who escaped the two-out jam. Grove ended up being replaced by Alex Vesia, who pitched 1.1 scoreless innings while giving up just one hit.
Daniel Hudson entered in the eighth to record the hold, and Evan Phillips pitched the ninth to earn the save, despite running into some trouble.
Dodgers get revenge against Nationals
This is the second series the Dodgers and Nationals have played in the first month of the season. The two clubs first met at Dodger Stadium on April 15 through April 17, with the Nationals winning two of the three games.
The season series is now tied at two games each, with two more matchups left to play.
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