Grandal's 3-Run Homer Lifts Dodgers Over Nationals 3-2
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Yasmani Grandal hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning off Washington starter Tanner Roark, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Nationals on Tuesday night.
The Dodgers rallied for their season-high fifth straight victory and seventh in their last eight, and will go for the series sweep on Wednesday.
Grandal gave the Dodgers at least one homer in 12 consecutive games for the first time since May 23-June 4, 2002.
Los Angeles trailed 2-0 when Grandal sent a 1-2 pitch into center field, scoring Joc Pederson, who drew a leadoff walk, and Yasiel Puig, whose base hit went off the glove of leaping shortstop Danny Espinosa.
The Nationals lost their fourth straight despite solo homers from Bryce Harper and Espinosa. Roark (6-5) had limited the Dodgers to four hits while equaling his longest outing of the season before serving up Grandal's blast.
Roark gave up three runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings, struck out five and walked one.
Louis Coleman (1-1) got the win with one inning of relief. He allowed two hits, struck out one and walked one.
Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 21st save in 24 chances a night after surpassing Eric Gagne as the Dodgers' career saves leader with 162. Jansen got Harper on a groundout to end the game.
The NL East-leading Nationals had at least one hit in the first eight innings, and their first six hits went for extra bases.
Harper hit his 15th homer with two outs in the first inning, giving Washington a 1-0 lead. Facing an 0-2 count, Espinosa homered leading off the fifth to make it 2-0, extending the Nationals' NL home run lead to 98.
Dodgers starter Scott Kazmir gave up two runs and eight hits in six innings, struck out four and walked one.
Puig came off the disabled list earlier Tuesday and started in right field. He was 1 for 3 in his first major league game since June 2.
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