Kazmir's Spicy Start, Utley's Leadoff HR Help Dodgers Top Nationals
WASHINGTON (AP) — On the day the Dodgers announced Clayton Kershaw suffered an injury setback, the lineup and starter Scott Kazmir stepped up. Some cramp-curing pickle juice and spicy mustard helped as well.
Chase Utley drove in three runs with three hits, including a leadoff homer that quickly spoiled Reynaldo Lopez's major league debut and sent the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles swept three games from Washington at home in June and has won six straight in the series.
Scott Kazmir (8-3) gave up one run and four hits in seven innings, striking out eight. He extended his unbeaten streak to 12 starts, going 6-0 in that span.
The Dodgers also improved to 12-6 since their ace pitcher was placed on the disabled list.
"With what we're going through, guys have to step up," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "It starts with starting pitching. It was a great outing by (Kazmir). Everything was working."
Lopez (0-1), considered one of Washington's top prospects, allowed six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out nine, featuring a fastball in the upper 90s mph.
The NL East-leading Nationals lost their second in a row following a five-game winning streak.
Daniel Murphy doubled twice in his first start since the All-Star break. Murphy, who began the day as the top hitter in the majors, had been slowed by a hamstring injury.
The Nationals promoted Lopez from Triple-A Syracuse before the game. Utley hit the rookie's third pitch over the right-center wall before the sellout crowd.
Howie Kendrick's opposite-field single extended his hitting streak to 11 games and Justin Turner doubled before Lopez retired a batter.
Joc Pederson, activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, hit a two-run, two-out single for a 3-0 lead in the first.
"We liked what we saw," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said of Lopez. "I am sure it shocked him to have his first big-league hitter hit the ball out of the park."
Despite the early struggles, Lopez struck out at least one batter in every inning, fanned the side in the third and Grandal three times.
"I was very excited at first and I felt a little nervous," Lopez said. "I just had a better feel for my pitches (as the game went on) and that allowed for it to come to me a little better."
Grandal homered and Turner had three hits.
Jose Lobaton homered for the Nationals and Trea Turner hit a two-run triple.
Yasiel Puig's RBI single in the fifth put the Dodgers up 6-0 and ended the Lopez's outing.
Cruising with a 6-0 lead in the fifth, Kazmir landed awkwardly after jumping to field Danny Espinosa's groundout. Lobaton then homered.
The postgame explanation, cramps. The cure? "Electrolyte drink, pickle juice, some spicy mustard," Kazmir explained sheepishly. "(The trainers) know a lot more than I do and it worked."
WOWIE, HOWIE
Kendrick went 2 for 4 with a walk. During the 11-game streak, he is batting .454 (20 for 44) with five doubles, a home run and six RBI.
OUT OF POSITION
Murphy, Washington's regular second baseman, committed a throwing error in his first start this season at third base with Anthony Rendon (illness) sidelined for a second straight game.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said ace Clayton Kershaw, out since June 27 because of mild disk herniation, will remain on the disabled list after feeling discomfort following a throwing session on Saturday.
Nationals: RHP Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) threw around 35 pitches before Tuesday's game, manager Dusty Baker said. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander is expected to increase his workload over the weekend in the minors.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Based on the Kershaw situation, Roberts moved RHP Bud Norris (5-7, 4.17) up one day in the rotation.
Nationals: LHP Gio Gonzalez (5-8, 4.70) is 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA over his last four starts against the Dodgers.
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