Dodgers 9, Nationals 2
Matt Kemp homered among his three hits in his return from the disabled list and Clayton Kershaw scattered two hits over seven sizzling innings as visiting Los Angeles completed a three-game sweep of reeling Washington.
Hanley Ramirez crushed a three-run homer and Kemp had an RBI double to cap a seven-run second inning before adding an RBI single in the fourth. Carl Crawford had a run-scoring single among his three hits for the Dodgers, who have won 20 of their last 25 contests to remain a half-game behind first-place Arizona in the National League West.
The offensive onslaught brought about an early exit for Jordan Zimmermann (12-5), who suffered his first home loss since May 17, 2012 - a span of 23 starts. Zimmermann yielded seven runs on eight hits before leaving after a career-worst two innings.
While Zimmermann struggled, Kershaw (9-6) was virtually flawless - save for Jayson Werth's solo homers in the second and seventh innings. The 2011 NL Cy Young Award winner struck out nine and did not walk a batter en route to handing the Nationals their eighth loss in 10 contests.
After being sidelined with an irritated AC joint in his left shoulder, Kemp made up for lost time by leading off the second with a blast over the left-field wall. Kershaw plated A.J. Ellis with a groundout three batters later before Crawford gave Los Angeles a 3-0 edge with an RBI single. Ramirez doubled the advantage three batters later by launching a 1-0 slider over the left-field wall for his 10th homer.
GAME NOTEBOOK: All was not rosy for Kemp, who tweaked his left ankle while sliding awkwardly into home plate to end the ninth. Kemp, who was replaced by rookie RF Yasiel Puig in the bottom half of the inning, said he did not expect to go back on the disabled list. ... With Kemp activated from the DL, the Dodgers optioned OF Scott Van Slyke to Triple-A Albuquerque to clear a spot on the 25-man roster. ... Washington opens a four-game series versus visiting Pittsburgh on Monday while Los Angeles continues its road trip by beginning a three-game set against Toronto.