GAME THREAD: NL: WASHINGTON (58-73) at LA DODGERS (67-63)

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Rauch relieved L Ayala.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: WASHINGTON 4
LA DODGERS 5 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: A Ethier (.295, 2-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
WASHINGTON 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 7 1
LA DODGERS 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 5 10 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: WAS - JON RAUCH
LOS - SCOTT PROCTOR

DUE UP FOR WASHINGTON: R CHURCH (.261, 0-FOR-2)
R BELLIARD (.277, 0-FOR-2, BB)
B SCHNEIDER (.229, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">WASHINGTON (4) VS LA DODGERS (5) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

WASHINGTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Lopez ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .240
N Logan cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .272
R Zimmerman 3b 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .273
D Young 1b 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .335
A Kearns rf 4 1 1 0 0 3 2 .265
W Pena lf 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 .265
R Church lf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
R Belliard 2b 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .277
B Schneider c 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .229
M Bacsik p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .111
J Colome p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R King p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-J Flores ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .229
L Ayala p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Rauch p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 30 4 7 4 2 8 6

a-struck out looking for R King in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - B Schneider (17, D Lowe). HR - D Young (13, 2nd inning off D Lowe
0 on, 0 Out), W Pena (4, 2nd inning off D Lowe 1 on, 0 Out), R Zimmerman (22,
5th inning off D Lowe 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - D Young (70), W Pena 2 (7), R
Zimmerman (77). 2-out RBI - R Zimmerman. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - F Lopez 1, A Kearns 1. Team LOB - 4.

BASERUNNING: CS - F Lopez (8, 2nd base by D Lowe/R Martin).

FIELDING: E - N Logan (1, bobble). DP: 2 (F Lopez-R Belliard, R Belliard-F
Lopez-D Young).


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .283
J Pierre cf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .292
M Kemp rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .333
J Kent 2b 3 1 1 1 0 0 3 .287
A Ethier lf 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .294
R Martin c 3 1 2 1 1 1 0 .295
J Loney 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 3 .302
R Martinez 3b 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 .190
D Lowe p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .122
a-L Gonzalez ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .278
M Hendrickson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .038
S Proctor p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 30 5 10 5 2 4 15

a-flied out to right for D Lowe in the 6th.

BATTING: SF - J Kent , R Martinez. RBI - J Kent (69), A Ethier (53), R Martin
(75), J Loney (31), R Martinez (25). 2-out RBI - A Ethier. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - J Loney 1, A Ethier 1. GIDP - J Pierre. Team LOB - 5.


BASERUNNING: SB - J Pierre (52, 3rd base off M Bacsik/B Schneider).


----------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON - 030 010 00 -- 4
LA DODGERS - 200 003 00 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Bacsik 5 9 5 5 2 2 0 4.82
J Colome 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.60
R King 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.68
L Ayala 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.76
J Rauch 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.04

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
D Lowe 6 7 4 4 1 5 3 3.56
M Hendrickson 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.04
S Proctor 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 4.96

M Bacsik pitched to 3 batters in the 6th.

WP - M Bacsik, S Proctor. Pitches-strikes: M Bacsik 91-56; J Colome 5-3; R
King 8-5; L Ayala 6-4; J Rauch 14-9; D Lowe 93-63; M Hendrickson 8-7; S Proctor
24-15. Ground balls-fly balls: M Bacsik 7-5; J Colome 0-1; R King 0-1; L Ayala
0-3; J Rauch 1-1; D Lowe 10-2; M Hendrickson 1-1; S Proctor 0-1. Batters faced:
M Bacsik 24; J Colome 2; R King 2; L Ayala 3; J Rauch 3; D Lowe 25; M
Hendrickson 3; S Proctor 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Paul Emmel. 1B--Dan Iassogna. 2B--Dale Scott. 3B--Ron Kulpa.

Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 1 mph, out to center.</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - PITCHING CHANGE
LOS: TAKASHI SAITO (1-0, 1.41) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5

DUE UP FOR WASHINGTON: R CHURCH (.261, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL AT LA DODGERS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: T Saito relieved S Proctor.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: WASHINGTON 4
LA DODGERS 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR WASHINGTON: R Church (.261, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
WASHINGTON 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 8 1
LA DODGERS 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 x 5 10 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: WAS - MIKE BACSIK, JESUS COLOME (6TH), RAY KING (6TH), LUIS AYALA
(7TH), JON RAUCH (8TH) AND BRIAN SCHNEIDER

LOS - DEREK LOWE, MARK HENDRICKSON (7TH), SCOTT PROCTOR
(8TH), TAKASHI SAITO (9TH) AND RUSSELL MARTIN

HOME RUNS: WAS - DMITRI YOUNG (13) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
WILY MO PENA (4) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 2ND, 1 ON
RYAN ZIMMERMAN (22) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 5TH, 0 ON

LOS - NONE</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
WASHINGTON 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 8 1
LA DODGERS 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 x 5 10 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: WAS - MIKE BACSIK, JESUS COLOME (6TH), RAY KING (6TH), LUIS AYALA
(7TH), JON RAUCH (8TH) AND BRIAN SCHNEIDER

LOS - DEREK LOWE, MARK HENDRICKSON (7TH), SCOTT PROCTOR
(8TH), TAKASHI SAITO (9TH) AND RUSSELL MARTIN


WP - DEREK LOWE (11-11)
LP - MIKE BACSIK (5-8)
SAVE - TAKASHI SAITO (35)

HOME RUNS: WAS - DMITRI YOUNG (13) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
WILY MO PENA (4) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 2ND, 1 ON
RYAN ZIMMERMAN (22) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 5TH, 0 ON

LOS - NONE


TIME: 2:38 ATT: 46,944

PROBABLES: WAS - JASON BERGMANN (2-5, 4.56)
LOS - CHAD BILLINGSLEY (8-4, 3.48)</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">WASHINGTON (4) VS LA DODGERS (5) - FINAL

WASHINGTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Lopez ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .240
N Logan cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .272
R Zimmerman 3b 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .273
D Young 1b 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .335
A Kearns rf 4 1 1 0 0 3 2 .265
W Pena lf 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 .265
R Church lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .261
R Belliard 2b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .278
B Schneider c 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .229
M Bacsik p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .111
J Colome p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R King p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-J Flores ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .229
L Ayala p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Rauch p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 4 8 4 2 9 7

a-struck out looking for R King in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - B Schneider (17, D Lowe). HR - D Young (13, 2nd inning off D Lowe
0 on, 0 Out), W Pena (4, 2nd inning off D Lowe 1 on, 0 Out), R Zimmerman (22,
5th inning off D Lowe 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - D Young (70), W Pena 2 (7), R
Zimmerman (77). 2-out RBI - R Zimmerman. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - F Lopez 1, A Kearns 1. GIDP - B Schneider. Team LOB - 4.

BASERUNNING: CS - F Lopez (8, 2nd base by D Lowe/R Martin).

FIELDING: E - N Logan (1, bobble). DP: 2 (F Lopez-R Belliard, R Belliard-F
Lopez-D Young).


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .283
J Pierre cf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .292
M Kemp rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .333
J Kent 2b 3 1 1 1 0 0 3 .287
A Ethier lf 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .294
R Martin c 3 1 2 1 1 1 0 .295
J Loney 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 3 .302
R Martinez 3b 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 .190
D Lowe p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .122
a-L Gonzalez ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .278
M Hendrickson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .038
S Proctor p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Saito p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 30 5 10 5 2 4 15

a-flied out to right for D Lowe in the 6th.

BATTING: SF - J Kent , R Martinez. RBI - J Kent (69), A Ethier (53), R Martin
(75), J Loney (31), R Martinez (25). 2-out RBI - A Ethier. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - J Loney 1, A Ethier 1. GIDP - J Pierre. Team LOB - 5.


BASERUNNING: SB - J Pierre (52, 3rd base off M Bacsik/B Schneider).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Loney-R Furcal-T Saito).


----------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON - 030 010 000 -- 4
LA DODGERS - 200 003 00x -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON ip h r er bb so hr era
M Bacsik (L, 5-8) 5 9 5 5 2 2 0 4.82
J Colome (B, 2) 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.60
R King 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.68
L Ayala 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.76
J Rauch 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.04

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
D Lowe (W, 11-11) 6 7 4 4 1 5 3 3.56
M Hendrickson (H, 1) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.04
S Proctor (H, 2) 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 4.96
T Saito (S, 35) 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.38

M Bacsik pitched to 3 batters in the 6th.

WP - M Bacsik, S Proctor. Pitches-strikes: M Bacsik 91-56; J Colome 5-3; R
King 8-5; L Ayala 6-4; J Rauch 14-9; D Lowe 93-63; M Hendrickson 8-7; S Proctor
24-15; T Saito 13-9. Ground balls-fly balls: M Bacsik 7-5; J Colome 0-1; R King
0-1; L Ayala 0-3; J Rauch 1-1; D Lowe 10-2; M Hendrickson 1-1; S Proctor 0-1; T
Saito 2-0. Batters faced: M Bacsik 24; J Colome 2; R King 2; L Ayala 3; J Rauch
3; D Lowe 25; M Hendrickson 3; S Proctor 4; T Saito 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Paul Emmel. 1B--Dan Iassogna. 2B--Dale Scott. 3B--Ron Kulpa.

T--2:38. Att--46,944.
Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 1 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
WASHINGTON 4
LA DODGERS 5 FINAL</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WASHINGTON (4) AT LA DODGERS (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA DODGERS 1ST: R Furcal walked. J Pierre reached on bunt single to
shortstop, R Furcal to second. R Furcal to third, J Pierre to second on wild
pitch by M Bacsik. M Kemp flied out to right. J Kent hit sacrifice fly to
center, R Furcal scored. J Pierre stole third. A Ethier singled to center,
J Pierre scored. R Martin reached on infield single to third, A Ethier to
second. J Loney grounded out to second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 0,
LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 2ND: D Young homered to left center. A Kearns singled to right.
W Pena homered to left, A Kearns scored. R Belliard struck out swinging.
B Schneider doubled to deep right center. M Bacsik grounded out to second,
B Schneider to third. F Lopez grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 5TH: F Lopez singled to left center. F Lopez caught stealing
second, catcher to shortstop. N Logan lined out to center. R Zimmerman homered
to center. D Young grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 6TH: J Kent reached on infield single to shortstop. A Ethier
singled to right, J Kent to third. R Martin singled to center, J Kent scored,
A Ethier to second. J Colome relieved M Bacsik. J Loney singled to right,
A Ethier scored, R Martin to third. R Martinez hit sacrifice fly to center,
R Martin scored. L Gonzalez hit for D Lowe. R King relieved J Colome. L Gonzalez
flied out to right. R Furcal struck out looking. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5.</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WASHINGTON (4) AT LA DODGERS (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Washington Starting Lineups -- F Lopez SS, N Logan CF, R Zimmerman 3B, D Young 1B,
A Kearns RF, W Pena LF, R Belliard 2B, B Schneider C, M Bacsik LHP.

La Dodgers Starting Lineups -- R Furcal SS, J Pierre CF, M Kemp RF, J Kent 2B,
A Ethier LF, R Martin C, J Loney 1B, R Martinez 3B, D Lowe RHP.

Umpires -- Paul Emmel (HP), Dan Iassogna (1B), Dale Scott (2B), Ron Kulpa (3B).


Gametime Weather: 76 degrees, Clear, wind out to center at 1 mph.


WASHINGTON 1ST: F Lopez grounded out to second. N Logan struck out
looking. R Zimmerman grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 0, LA DODGERS 0.

LA DODGERS 1ST: R Furcal walked. J Pierre reached on bunt single to
shortstop, R Furcal to second. R Furcal to third, J Pierre to second on wild
pitch by M Bacsik. M Kemp flied out to right. J Kent hit sacrifice fly to
center, R Furcal scored. J Pierre stole third. A Ethier singled to center,
J Pierre scored. R Martin reached on infield single to third, A Ethier to
second. J Loney grounded out to second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 0,
LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 2ND: D Young homered to left center. A Kearns singled to right.
W Pena homered to left, A Kearns scored. R Belliard struck out swinging.
B Schneider doubled to deep right center. M Bacsik grounded out to second,
B Schneider to third. F Lopez grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 2ND: R Church in left field. R Martinez grounded out to
shortstop. D Lowe grounded out to pitcher. R Furcal grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 3RD: N Logan grounded out to shortstop. R Zimmerman flied out
to right. D Young singled to left. A Kearns struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 3RD: J Pierre singled to center. M Kemp singled to center,
J Pierre to third, M Kemp to second on error by center fielder N Logan. J Kent
lined into double play, shortstop to second, M Kemp doubled off second.
A Ethier flied out to center. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 4TH: R Church grounded out to shortstop. R Belliard walked.
B Schneider grounded into fielder's choice to second, R Belliard out at second.
M Bacsik struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 4TH: R Martin walked. J Loney struck out swinging. R Martinez
flied out to right. D Lowe struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 5TH: F Lopez singled to left center. F Lopez caught stealing
second, catcher to shortstop. N Logan lined out to center. R Zimmerman homered
to center. D Young grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 5TH: R Furcal singled to center. J Pierre grounded into double
play, second to shortstop to first, R Furcal out at second. M Kemp grounded out
to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 6TH: A Kearns struck out swinging. R Church grounded out to
first. R Belliard grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 6TH: J Kent reached on infield single to shortstop. A Ethier
singled to right, J Kent to third. R Martin singled to center, J Kent scored,
A Ethier to second. J Colome relieved M Bacsik. J Loney singled to right,
A Ethier scored, R Martin to third. R Martinez hit sacrifice fly to center,
R Martin scored. L Gonzalez hit for D Lowe. R King relieved J Colome. L Gonzalez
flied out to right. R Furcal struck out looking. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5.

WASHINGTON 7TH: M Hendrickson relieved D Lowe. B Schneider popped out to
shortstop. J Flores hit for R King. J Flores struck out looking. F Lopez
grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5.

LA DODGERS 7TH: L Ayala relieved R King. J Pierre flied out to center.
M Kemp flied out to right. J Kent lined out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5.

WASHINGTON 8TH: S Proctor relieved M Hendrickson. N Logan struck out
swinging. R Zimmerman walked. D Young flied out to right. R Zimmerman to
second on wild pitch by S Proctor. A Kearns struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0
Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5.

LA DODGERS 8TH: J Rauch relieved L Ayala. A Ethier flied out to left.
R Martin struck out swinging. J Loney grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5.

WASHINGTON 9TH: T Saito relieved S Proctor. R Church struck out looking.
R Belliard singled to center. B Schneider grounded into double play, first to
shortstop to pitcher, R Belliard out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
WASHINGTON 4, LA DODGERS 5.</div>

 

Dodgers ride three-run sixth in win over Nationals

<h3>LA DODGERS 5, WASHINGTON 4</h3>LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame atwo-run deficit with four consecutive base hits in the sixthinning to post a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals.

With the Dodgers trailing, 4-2, in the sixth, Jeff Kent startedthe frame with an infield single off Nationals starter MikeBacsik (5-8) and moved to third when Andre Ethier singled toright. Russell Martin then singled to center to plate Kent andcut Washington's lead to 4-3.


James Loney capped off the hot stretch for the Dodgers, singlingto right against Jesus Colome, who had just relieved Bacsik, toscore Ethier to tie the contest at 4-4 and advance Martin tothird.


After attempting a squeeze bunt on the first pitch he saw fromColome, Ramon Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center to pushacross Martin, giving Los Angeles a 5-4 advantage.

The comeback victory was the Dodgers' 28th this season as theymoved to 25-17 in one-run contests this season.


Derek Lowe (11-11) tossed six frames to win his thirdconsecutive start, the first time he has accomplished that sinceAugust 29-September 6, 2006. Mark Hendrickson and ScottProctor each recorded a scoreless inning before handing it overto closer Takashi Saito, who worked around a one-out single inthe ninth to Ron Belliard to notch his 35th save in 38 chances.

Dmitri Young had two hits and Wily Mo Pena belted his fourthhomer since becoming a National on August 17 as Washington fellto 8-56 in games in which it trails after six innings.

Los Angeles (68-63) moved within 5 1/2 games of first place inthe National League West as division leader Arizona (74-58) lostto San Diego (71-59), which maintained their 3 1/2-gameadvantage in the wild card race.

 

Dodgers ride three-run sixth in win over Nationals

<h3>LA DODGERS 5, WASHINGTON 4</h3>LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame atwo-run deficit with four consecutive base hits in the sixthinning to post a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals.

With the Dodgers trailing, 4-2, in the sixth, Jeff Kent startedthe frame with an infield single off Nationals starter MikeBacsik (5-8) and moved to third when Andre Ethier singled toright. Russell Martin then singled to center to plate Kent andcut Washington's lead to 4-3.


James Loney capped off the hot stretch for the Dodgers, singlingto right against Jesus Colome, who had just relieved Bacsik, toscore Ethier to tie the contest at 4-4 and advance Martin tothird.


"I was just looking for a pitch to drive hard after working thecount in my favor," Loney said. "Every game is a big game forus for the rest of the season."


After attempting a squeeze bunt on the first pitch he saw fromColome, Ramon Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center to pushacross Martin, giving Los Angeles a 5-4 advantage.

"It was just one of those wins that we needed to give us anotherboost," Martin said. The comeback victory was the Dodgers' 28ththis season as they moved to 25-17 in one-run contests thisseason.


"To come back and win the game after getting down is big for ourteam," Martin said.


Derek Lowe (11-11) tossed six frames to win his thirdconsecutive start, the first time he has accomplished that sinceAugust 29-September 6, 2006.


Mark Hendrickson and Scott Proctor each recorded a scorelessinning before handing it over to closer Takashi Saito, whoworked around a one-out single in the ninth to Ron Belliard tonotch his 35th save in 38 chances.


"Derek came out and gave us a good outing and kept us withinstriking distance," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "Ourbullpen is outstanding and they came in and put zeros up andpicked up the slack to give (the rest of) our bullpen somerest."


Dmitri Young and Ryan Zimmerman each hit solo homers and Wily MoPena belted his fourth homer since becoming a National onAugust 17 as Washington fell to 8-56 in games in which it trailsafter six innings.


"We hit the ball good tonight off Lowe, but he managed to keepguys off base when we hit the home runs," Young said. "If wecould have had some people on base with the home runs, then wewould have pulled this one out."


Los Angeles (68-63) moved within 5 1/2 games of first place inthe National League West as division leader Arizona (74-58) lostto San Diego (71-59), which maintained their 3 1/2-gameadvantage in the wild card race.


"At this point in the season, it doesn't matter how I get outsor how we get wins," Lowe said. "As long as we keep playinggood baseball and don't worry about what other teams are doing,we will be fine."