Dodgers 7, Nationals 6 (Game 2)
Dodgers 7, Nationals 6: Matt Kemp hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth as visiting Los Angeles earned a split of the doubleheader with Washington despite blowing a six-run lead.
Kemp led off the ninth with a shot to left-center field off Tyler Clippard (2-5) as Los Angeles remained two games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the National League’s second wild card spot. The Cardinals blanked the Houston Astros 5-0.
Dodgers starter Josh Beckett blanked Washington on two hits over the first seven innings before faltering in the eighth. Michael Morse hit a solo homer and Steve Lombardozzi added a two-run shot to cut the Los Angeles lead in half. Bryce Harper plated the fourth run on an infield hit and Morse smacked a two-run ground single to right off Ronald Belisario (7-1) to tie the contest.
Brandon League worked the ninth for his third save as the Dodgers cut Washington’s NL East lead to five games over the Atlanta Braves.
Hanley Ramirez had three RBIs as the Dodgers built the 6-0 edge. Ramirez had a two-run single off John Lannan with the bases loaded in the third and Andre Ethier followed with a run-scoring single. Kemp had a run-scoring single in the fourth with the other runs scoring on a wild pitch by Lannan and Ramirez’s fielder’s choice.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Nationals won their 90th game in the opener, marking the seventh time a club managed by Davey Johnson has won 90 or more games. … Ramirez drove in four runs in the doubleheader. … Beckett was charged with four runs (three earned) and five hits in 7 2/3 innings, while Lannan allowed six runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.