On September 4, 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 5-3 victory against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium, marking their second consecutive win in the series. With this victory, the Dodgers improved their record to 84-57, while the Nationals fell to 67-76.
Blake Snell was the standout performer for the Dodgers, delivering an impressive pitching performance that kept the Nationals scoreless through six innings. Snell effectively utilized his high fastball and devastating curveball, striking out seven batters while allowing only two walks during his outing. Despite a late rally from the Nationals in the ninth inning, the Dodgers' bullpen managed to hold on for the win.
The Dodgers' offense, which was missing key players Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani for the second straight game, found a way to come together and produce timely hits. After struggling with runners in scoring position earlier in the game, Mookie Betts broke the deadlock with an RBI single that drove in Kyle Tucker, giving the Dodgers their first lead. Betts extended his on-base streak to 14 games with this crucial hit.
Teoscar Hernández continued to shine for the Dodgers, mirroring his performance from the previous game by hitting a double that brought in two more runs. This timely hitting helped the Dodgers build a comfortable lead. The fourth run came later in the inning when Alex Call scored after an error by Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez, extending the Dodgers' advantage to 4-0.
As the game progressed, the Nationals began to find their rhythm against Snell in the sixth inning, with James Wood and Andrés Chaparro reaching base. However, Kyle Tucker's home run in the sixth inning solidified the Dodgers' lead at 5-0, showcasing the team's offensive depth.
The Dodgers' bullpen, featuring pitchers like Edgardo Henriquez, who recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh inning, effectively maintained the shutout until the ninth. However, the Nationals mounted a late comeback, scoring three runs off Seth Halvorson and Jack Dreyer. Halvorson struggled, allowing three consecutive hits, including an RBI single from Abimelec Ortiz, which marked the beginning of the Nationals' rally.
Despite the late-game surge from Washington, Dreyer managed to secure the final out, preserving the Dodgers' victory. This win not only boosts the Dodgers' standing in the National League but also highlights their resilience as they continue to compete for a playoff spot.
Game Highlights:
Home run: Kyle Tucker (12)
Winning Pitcher: Blake Snell (3-1): 6 IP, 5 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts (100 pitches)
Losing Pitcher: Jackson Kent (1-3): 5 IP, 4 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 4 walks, 4 strikeouts (87 pitches)
Save: Jack Dreyer (2)
The Dodgers and Nationals will continue their series on Saturday, with Tyler Glasnow (4-0, 2.79 ERA, 0.81 WHIP) taking the mound for Los Angeles against Washington's Cade Cavalli (12-5, 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP). This matchup promises to be another exciting chapter in this competitive series.
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