GAME THREAD: NL: WASHINGTON (58-74) at LA DODGERS (68-63)

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

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

BATTERIES: WAS - JASON BERGMANN, CHRIS SCHRODER (7TH), RAY KING (7TH), SAUL
RIVERA (7TH) AND BRIAN SCHNEIDER

LOS - CHAD BILLINGSLEY, JONATHAN BROXTON (8TH), TAKASHI
SAITO (9TH) AND RUSSELL MARTIN


WP - CHAD BILLINGSLEY (9-4)
LP - CHRIS SCHRODER (1-1)
SAVE - TAKASHI SAITO (36)

HOME RUNS: WAS - TONY BATISTA (1) OFF CHAD BILLINGSLEY IN THE 7TH, 0 ON

LOS - JEFF KENT (17) OFF JASON BERGMANN IN THE 3RD, 0 ON


TIME: 2:41 ATT: 49,698

PROBABLES: WAS - SHAWN HILL (3-3, 2.31)
LOS - BRAD PENNY (14-4, 2.65)</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">WASHINGTON (3) VS LA DODGERS (4) - FINAL

WASHINGTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Logan cf 4 0 1 0 0 2 0 .272
F Lopez ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .242
R Zimmerman 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .271
D Young 1b 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 .337
A Kearns rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .265
R Church lf 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .259
R Belliard 2b 3 1 1 0 0 0 4 .279
D Jimenez 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .140
B Schneider c 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 .227
b-W Pena ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .257
J Bergmann p 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 .111
a-T Batista ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .280
C Schroder p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R King p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
S Rivera p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 31 3 8 3 1 8 10

a-homered to right center for J Bergmann in the 7th; b-struck out swinging for
B Schneider in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - D Young (35, C Billingsley). 3B - R Belliard (1, C Billingsley).
HR - T Batista (1, 7th inning off C Billingsley 0 on, 1 Out). SF - B Schneider.
RBI - D Young (71), B Schneider (42), T Batista (15). 2-out RBI - D Young.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - R Belliard 3. GIDP - A Kearns, F
Lopez, R Church. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - F Lopez (21, 2nd base off C Billingsley/R Martin).

FIELDING: E - J Bergmann (1, throw); F Lopez (15, ground ball). DP: 1 (J
Bergmann-F Lopez-D Young).


LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .281
J Pierre cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289
A Ethier rf-lf 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 .292
J Kent 2b 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 .290
L Gonzalez lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 .278
J Broxton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Saito p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Martin c 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 .296
J Loney 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .301
S Hillenbrand 3b 4 0 2 2 0 0 1 .240
C Billingsley p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .091
a-M Sweeney ph 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .255
M Kemp rf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .333

Totals 29 4 8 4 4 1 11

a-doubled to deep center for C Billingsley in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - M Sweeney (9, C Schroder); R Martin (28, S Rivera). HR - J Kent
(17, 3rd inning off J Bergmann 0 on, 2 Out). S - C Billingsley. SF - A Ethier.
RBI - S Hillenbrand 2 (6), J Kent (70), A Ethier (54). 2-out RBI - J Kent.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Gonzalez 2, R Furcal 2, J Loney 1.
GIDP - C Billingsley. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Martin (21, 2nd base off J Bergmann/B Schneider). CS - R
Martin (6, 3rd base by S Rivera/B Schneider).

FIELDING: DP: 3 (J Kent-R Furcal-J Loney 3).


----------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON - 100 100 100 -- 3
LA DODGERS - 021 000 10x -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Bergmann 6 6 3 3 1 1 1 4.56
C Schroder (L, 1-1) 1/3 1 1 0 1 0 0 2.50
R King 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.64
S Rivera 1 1/3 1 0 0 2 0 0 3.61

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Billingsley (W, 9-4) 7 8 3 3 1 6 1 3.50
J Broxton (H, 27) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.22
T Saito (S, 36) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.36

IBB - D Young (by C Billingsley). HBP - A Kearns (by C Billingsley); R Church
(by C Billingsley); R Martin (by J Bergmann). Pitches-strikes: J Bergmann
89-55; C Schroder 14-6; R King 8-6; S Rivera 24-14; C Billingsley 99-61; J
Broxton 8-7; T Saito 17-10. Ground balls-fly balls: J Bergmann 6-11; C Schroder
0-1; R King 1-1; S Rivera 3-0; C Billingsley 7-8; J Broxton 1-2; T Saito 0-1.
Batters faced: J Bergmann 25; C Schroder 3; R King 2; S Rivera 6; C Billingsley
29; J Broxton 3; T Saito 3.

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

T--2:41. Att--49,698.
Weather: 73 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, swirling.</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
WASHINGTON 3
LA DODGERS 4 FINAL</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WASHINGTON (3) AT LA DODGERS (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WASHINGTON 1ST: N Logan struck out swinging. F Lopez reached on infield
single to third. R Zimmerman flied out to right. D Young doubled to deep
center, F Lopez scored. A Kearns hit by pitch. R Church hit by pitch, D Young
to third, A Kearns to second. R Belliard popped out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 0.

LA DODGERS 2ND: J Kent reached on infield single to pitcher, J Kent to
second on throwing error by pitcher J Bergmann. L Gonzalez flied out to center.
R Martin walked. J Loney reached on infield single to shortstop, J Kent to
third, R Martin to second. S Hillenbrand singled to left, J Kent and R Martin
scored, J Loney to second. C Billingsley sacrificed to pitcher, J Loney to
third, S Hillenbrand to second. R Furcal fouled out to third. (2 Runs, 3 Hits,
1 Error) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 3RD: J Pierre bunt grounded out to third. A Ethier struck out
swinging. J Kent homered to left. L Gonzalez singled to center. R Martin
lined out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 3.

WASHINGTON 4TH: R Church struck out looking. R Belliard tripled to deep
left center. B Schneider hit sacrifice fly to left, R Belliard scored.
J Bergmann struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 2, LA DODGERS 3.

WASHINGTON 7TH: B Schneider lined out to third. T Batista hit for
J Bergmann. T Batista homered to right center. N Logan flied out to right.
F Lopez flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 3.

LA DODGERS 7TH: C Schroder relieved J Bergmann. S Hillenbrand popped out to
shortstop. M Sweeney hit for C Billingsley. M Sweeney doubled to deep center.
R Furcal walked. R King relieved C Schroder. J Pierre grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, M Sweeney to third, R Furcal safe at second on error by
shortstop F Lopez. A Ethier hit sacrifice fly to center, M Sweeney scored,
R Furcal to third. S Rivera relieved R King. J Kent walked, J Pierre to second.
L Gonzalez grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) WASHINGTON 3,
LA DODGERS 4.</div>

 

NL: WASHINGTON at LA DODGERS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WASHINGTON (3) AT LA DODGERS (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Washington Starting Lineups -- N Logan CF, F Lopez SS, R Zimmerman 3B, D Young 1B,
A Kearns RF, R Church LF, R Belliard 2B, B Schneider C, J Bergmann RHP.

La Dodgers Starting Lineups -- R Furcal SS, J Pierre CF, A Ethier RF, J Kent 2B,
L Gonzalez LF, R Martin C, J Loney 1B, S Hillenbrand 3B, C Billingsley RHP.

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


Gametime Weather: 73 degrees, Clear, wind swirling at 5 mph.


WASHINGTON 1ST: N Logan struck out swinging. F Lopez reached on infield
single to third. R Zimmerman flied out to right. D Young doubled to deep
center, F Lopez scored. A Kearns hit by pitch. R Church hit by pitch, D Young
to third, A Kearns to second. R Belliard popped out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 0.

LA DODGERS 1ST: R Furcal flied out to center. J Pierre flied out to left.
A Ethier grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 0.

WASHINGTON 2ND: B Schneider popped out to second. J Bergmann struck out
swinging. N Logan struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 1,
LA DODGERS 0.

LA DODGERS 2ND: J Kent reached on infield single to pitcher, J Kent to
second on throwing error by pitcher J Bergmann. L Gonzalez flied out to center.
R Martin walked. J Loney reached on infield single to shortstop, J Kent to
third, R Martin to second. S Hillenbrand singled to left, J Kent and R Martin
scored, J Loney to second. C Billingsley sacrificed to pitcher, J Loney to
third, S Hillenbrand to second. R Furcal fouled out to third. (2 Runs, 3 Hits,
1 Error) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 2.

WASHINGTON 3RD: F Lopez reached on infield single to shortstop.
R Zimmerman struck out swinging, F Lopez stole second. D Young intentionally
walked. A Kearns grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
D Young out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 2.

LA DODGERS 3RD: J Pierre bunt grounded out to third. A Ethier struck out
swinging. J Kent homered to left. L Gonzalez singled to center. R Martin
lined out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 1, LA DODGERS 3.

WASHINGTON 4TH: R Church struck out looking. R Belliard tripled to deep
left center. B Schneider hit sacrifice fly to left, R Belliard scored.
J Bergmann struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 2,
LA DODGERS 3.

LA DODGERS 4TH: J Loney flied out to left. S Hillenbrand singled to right.
C Billingsley grounded into double play, pitcher to shortstop to first,
S Hillenbrand out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 2, LA DODGERS 3.

WASHINGTON 5TH: N Logan reached on infield single to shortstop. F Lopez
grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, N Logan out at second.
R Zimmerman grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 2,
LA DODGERS 3.

LA DODGERS 5TH: R Furcal flied out to right. J Pierre flied out to left.
A Ethier grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 2,
LA DODGERS 3.

WASHINGTON 6TH: D Young singled to left. A Kearns singled to right,
D Young to second. R Church grounded into double play, second to shortstop to
first, A Kearns out at second, D Young to third. R Belliard flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 2, LA DODGERS 3.

LA DODGERS 6TH: J Kent flied out to left. L Gonzalez lined out to center.
R Martin hit by pitch. R Martin stole second. J Loney popped out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 2, LA DODGERS 3.

WASHINGTON 7TH: B Schneider lined out to third. T Batista hit for
J Bergmann. T Batista homered to right center. N Logan flied out to right.
F Lopez flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 3.

LA DODGERS 7TH: C Schroder relieved J Bergmann. S Hillenbrand popped out to
shortstop. M Sweeney hit for C Billingsley. M Sweeney doubled to deep center.
R Furcal walked. R King relieved C Schroder. J Pierre grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, M Sweeney to third, R Furcal safe at second on error by
shortstop F Lopez. A Ethier hit sacrifice fly to center, M Sweeney scored,
R Furcal to third. S Rivera relieved R King. J Kent walked, J Pierre to second.
L Gonzalez grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) WASHINGTON 3,
LA DODGERS 4.

WASHINGTON 8TH: A Ethier in left field. J Broxton relieved C Billingsley.
M Kemp in right field. R Zimmerman grounded out to shortstop. D Young flied out
to right. A Kearns lined out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3,
LA DODGERS 4.

LA DODGERS 8TH: D Jimenez at second base. R Martin doubled to deep right.
J Loney grounded out to second, R Martin to third. S Hillenbrand grounded out
to pitcher. M Kemp walked. R Martin caught stealing home, catcher to third to
catcher to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 4.

WASHINGTON 9TH: T Saito relieved J Broxton. R Church struck out swinging.
D Jimenez fouled out to catcher. W Pena hit for B Schneider. W Pena struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) WASHINGTON 3, LA DODGERS 4.</div>

 

Dodgers capitalize on error to edge Nationals

<h3>LA DODGERS 4, WASHINGTON 3</h3>LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Andre Ethier delivered a sacrifice flyin the seventh inning after a critical error to snap a tie asthe Los Angeles Dodgers stopped the Washington Nationals, 4-3,on Tuesday.


Jeff Kent homered for the 362nd time to surpass Joe DiMaggio andtie Jason Giambi for 65th on the all-time list for the Dodgers(69-63), who have won none of their last 13 and moved within 41/2 games of the National League West Division-leading ArizonaDiamondbacks (74-59).


After a seventh-inning home run by pinch hitter Tony Batista offDodgers starter Chad Billingsley tied the contest at 3-3, theDodgers mounted their winning rally in the bottom half.

Also in a pinch-hitting role, Mark Sweeney belted a one-outdouble to center field off Chris Schroder (1-1). After RafaelFurcal worked a walk, Ray King entered and induced Juan Pierreinto hitting what appeared to be a potential inning-endingdouble play, but shortstop Felipe Lopez had the hard shot glanceoff his glove for an error that loaded the bases.


Ethier followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Billingsley (9-4) pitched in and out of trouble, taking a 3-2lead into the seventh before Batista homered over the rightfield wall for his first blast since May 21, 2005 for theMinnesota Twins against the Milwaukee Brewers.


The righthander departed after the seventh inning, yieldingthree runs and eight hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Heallowed just a run in a 27-pitch first inning despitesurrendering an RBI double to Dmitri Young and hittingconsecutive batters.


Billingsley worked around a leadoff single in the third, anotherin the fifth and two hits to start the sixth. The Nationalsscored their second run in the fourth on a triple by RonnieBelliard and sacrifice fly by Brian Schneider.


Jonathan Broxton worked a scoreless eighth and Takashi Saitologged the ninth for his 36th save.


The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the second on a two-run single toleft by Shea Hillenbrand off Washington starter Jason Bergmann.Kent, who started the inning with an infield roller, belted his17th homer of the season in the third for a 3-1 edge.

Bergmann, who was making his first start since July 24 after astint on the disabled list with a left hamstring injury, yieldedthree runs and six hits in six innings in his first careerappearance against Los Angeles.

 

Dodgers capitalize on error to edge Nationals

<h3>LA DODGERS 4, WASHINGTON 3</h3>LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Andre Ethier delivered a sacrifice flyin the seventh inning after a critical error to snap a tie asthe Los Angeles Dodgers stopped the Washington Nationals, 4-3,on Tuesday.


Jeff Kent homered for the 362nd time to surpass Joe DiMaggio andtie Jason Giambi for 65th on the all-time list for the Dodgers(69-63), who have won nine of their last 13 and moved within 41/2 games of the National League West Division-leading ArizonaDiamondbacks (74-59).


After a seventh-inning home run by pinch hitter Tony Batista offDodgers starter Chad Billingsley tied the contest at 3-3, theDodgers mounted their winning rally in the bottom half.

"We managed to come up with that big hit to tie the game, butthey came right back and took the lead late in the game,"Nationals manager Manny Acta said.


Also in a pinch-hitting role, Mark Sweeney belted a one-outdouble to center field off Chris Schroder (1-1).


"I was just trying to get on base in anyway in that situation,"Sweeney said. "Getting an extra-base hit was even better forus. We still have a long road ahead of us and we just have toworry about us and not the teams we are chasing."


After Rafael Furcal worked a walk, Ray King entered and inducedJuan Pierre into hitting what appeared to be a potentialinning-ending double play, but shortstop Felipe Lopez had thehard shot glance off his glove for an error that loaded thebases.


"We're dead-last in the major leagues in runs scored, so weneeded our defense and our bullpen," Acta said. "Unfortunately,these last few days it hasn't been there."


Ethier followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.

"We got timely hitting when we needed it tonight," Dodgersmanager Grady Little said. "Were playing good right now, werejust playing good."


Billingsley (9-4) pitched in and out of trouble, taking a 3-2lead into the seventh before Batista homered over the rightfield wall for his first blast since May 21, 2006 for theMinnesota Twins against the Milwaukee Brewers.


"I got deep in the game and got some key double plays to help meget out of some innings," Billingsley said. "It's always nicewhen I can come out and pitch good and give the club a big winlate in the season."


The righthander departed after the seventh inning, yieldingthree runs and eight hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Heallowed just a run in a 27-pitch first inning despitesurrendering an RBI double to Dmitri Young and hittingconsecutive batters.


"I can't go out and think about the teams ahead of us in thestandings," Billingsley said. "I just have to go and pitch mygame."


Billingsley worked around a leadoff single in the third, anotherin the fifth and two hits to start the sixth. The Nationalsscored their second run in the fourth on a triple by RonnieBelliard and sacrifice fly by Brian Schneider.


"He (Billingsley) pitched a good game," Young said. "We hadchances to score runs but we just couldn't come up with that bighit."


Jonathan Broxton worked a scoreless eighth and Takashi Saitologged the ninth for his 36th save.


"Saito has just been great for us this year," Little said. "Thebullpen has picked up the slack lately which is a big part ofour team winning games."


The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the second on a two-run single toleft by Shea Hillenbrand off Washington starter Jason Bergmann.Kent, who started the inning with an infield roller, belted his17th homer of the season in the third for a 3-1 edge.

Bergmann, who was making his first start since July 24 after astint on the disabled list with a left hamstring injury, yieldedthree runs and six hits in six innings in his first careerappearance against Los Angeles.


"I felt like I pitched a good game, especially after the way Ihave been throwing the ball lately," Bergmann said. "I managedto keep us in the game but we just couldn't get it done."