Nationals at Dodgers
The Washington Nationals halted the Los Angeles Dodgers' 10-game home winning streak in the opener and look to defeat them again when they continue their four-game series on Friday. Howie Kendrick homered and drove in four runs as Washington posted a 6-0 victory on Thursday to snap its four-game slide.
Anthony Rendon went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs while Patrick Corbin and two relievers quieted Los Angeles' bats. The Dodgers scored 23 runs during a three-game sweep of Atlanta but recorded just six singles - three against Corbin in seven innings - while being blanked for just the third time this season. David Freese and Russell Martin each notched two hits for Los Angeles while Cody Bellinger reached base three times on a hit and two walks. The Nationals were outscored 25-7 during their four-game skid before getting a quick jump-start from Kendrick's three-run blast in the first inning on Thursday.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Anibal Sanchez (0-5, 5.15 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (3-2, 4.66)
Sanchez has lost four straight starts, walking 15 batters in 20 innings during the stretch. The 35-year-old registered nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 frames while losing to Philadelphia in his last turn, when he allowed two unearned runs on two hits and four walks. Sanchez is 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles.
Maeda is winless in his last three starts as he has allowed 10 runs in 15 innings during the drought. The 31-year-old did not factor in the decision against San Diego in his last turn as he gave up four runs and three hits over six frames. Maeda has won both his starts at Dodger Stadium this season, compiling a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 13 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers OF-INF Chris Taylor is 0-for-8 over his last three games after going 9-for-17 over the previous four.
2. Washington signed Gerardo Parra (3-for-19 against Maeda), placed fellow OF Andrew Stevenson (back) on the 10-day injured list and designated RHP Jimmy Cordero for assignment.
3. Los Angeles INF Max Muncy struck out in all four of his at-bats on Thursday.