LaRoche Delivers Late, Dodgers Waste Chances In 14 Innings

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adam LaRoche came off the bench in the ninth inning and drove in five runs, including a tying homer and a go-ahead grounder in the 14th that sent the Washington Nationals to a wild 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

Asdrubal Cabrera added a two-run shot in the final inning for the Nationals, who withstood two late rallies in a game that lasted 5 hours, 34 minutes, the longest at Dodger Stadium this season. Washington took two of three in the series, a potential playoff preview between NL division leaders.

All of LaRoche's RBIs either tied the game or gave his team the lead. He delivered a pinch-hit, two-run homer that tied it in the ninth and a go-ahead, two-run single in the 12th inning.

LaRoche then gave the Nationals the lead for good with a fielder's choice grounder in the 14th after an error by shortstop Justin Turner. Ian Desmond scored on the play, and LaRoche beat the relay to first to avoid a potential inning-ending double play.

Cabrera added his two-run homer, and Blake Treinen (2-3) finally made the lead stand up.

Kevin Correia (2-3) took the loss.

Washington used 10 of the 18 pitches who appeared in a game that featured three blown saves.

The Dodgers rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the ninth and a 5-3 deficit in the 13th on Carl Crawford's homer but ultimately came up short.

Los Angeles led 2-0 going into the ninth, when Washington tagged closer Kenley Jansen for four hits and three runs, including LaRoche's tying homer and Denard Span's go-ahead single with two outs.

A defensive mistake in the bottom half forced extra innings.

With two outs and a runner on first, Nationals closer Rafael Soriano got Turner to hit a fly to right for what appeared to be the third out. Instead, right fielder Jayson Werth dropped the ball in the right-field corner for an error, and a surprised Andre Ethier raced home from first to tie it at 3.

That's how it stayed until the 12th. A walk by Anthony Rendon and singles by Werth and Bryce Harper loaded the bases with one out, and LaRoche lined a single into left field to put the Nationals back on top.

Again, the Dodgers rallied to tie it. Tyler Clippard quickly retired the first two batters in the bottom of the 12th, but Juan Uribe singled and Crawford followed with a home run to left-center, whipping the remaining fans at Dodger Stadium into a frenzy.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: Manager Don Mattingly said it was "probably not very possible" that RHP Josh Beckett will pitch again this season. Beckett has been on the disabled list since Aug. 4 with a left hip impingement.

Mattingly added that LHP Paco Rodriguez threw a bullpen session with no complications and could begin throwing to hitters in the next few days. Rodriguez has been on the DL since Aug. 4 with a shoulder strain.

UP NEXT

Washington is off Thursday and opens a three-game home series against Philadelphia on Friday. RHP Stephen Strasburg (11-10, 3.49 ERA) is scheduled to start the opener.

Los Angeles is off Thursday and begins a three-game home series against Arizona on Friday. RHP Dan Haren (11-10, 4.27) will start the opener.

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