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Nationals outlast Dodgers, take 2 of 3 in L.A. with 8-5 fourteen-inning win

No one wanted to win this one. The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers kept blowing leads in the series finale in Chavez Ravine before the Nats finally won it 8-5 after fourteen innings in L.A. The Nats take 2 of 3 in Dodger Stadium.

By Patrick Reddington
Stephen Dunn

City of Angels Top 5:

5. Quick Recap: Washington Nationals' starter Jordan Zimmermann was up to 6 ⅓ scoreless in the series finale with the Dodgers in Los Angeles before Carl Crawford dumped a one-out hit into right field and hustled around to second base for a double. Justin Turner tried to argue his way on in the first at bat of the day with runners in scoring position for the Dodgers, claiming a 1-2 fastball inside caught him on the forearm, but a review of the play was inconclusive, so the call of no HBP stood. Two pitches later, with the count full, Turner hit his fifth home run of the season out to center in Chavez Ravine for a two-run blast that gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.

The Nationals were three outs away from getting shut out when Bryce Harper singled to start the ninth and pinch hitter Adam LaRoche took Dodgers' closer Kenley Jansen deep to left for a game-tying opposite field home run. LaRoche's first pinch hit of the year tied it up at 2-2. HR no.20.

Jose Lobaton singled with one down in the ninth, and his pinch runner Danny Espinosa stole second, took third on a groundout and scored on a two-out single by first by Denard Span, 3-2 Nationals.

Andre Ethier walked with one down in the Dodgers' ninth, but Nats' closer Rafael Soriano got out no.2 and got a fly to right from Justin Turner for what looked like no.3... until Jayson Werth dropped it. Disaster. Tie game. 3-3 in L.A.

After the Dodgers loaded the bases with one down and failed to score in consecutive innings, the Nationals loaded them up with one down in the twelfth and Adam LaRoche came through with an RBI single to left to drive two runs in and make it 5-3 Nationals.

Then the Dodgers tied it up again. Juan Uribe singled with two down in the Dodgers' twelfth and Carl Crawford took Tyler Clippard deep for a game-tying two-run home run. 5-5.

Ian Desmond reached base on an error by Justin Turner in the top of the fourteenth, moved up to second on a walk to Bryce Harper, took third on a wild pitch from Kevin Correia to Adam LaRoche and then scored when LaRoche grounded into a force at second. 6-5. Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a two-run home run to make it 8-5.

That's how it ended. Finally...

4. Zimmermann in Lalaland: Last time out in Seattle, Jordan Zimmermann held the Mariners to seven hits, a walk and two earned runs in an 8-3 win in Safeco Field. Zimmermann, 27, gave up two runs in the bottom of the first inning, then shut the Mariners down over the next five innings he was on the mound as the Nats rallied to take the lead and the first game of the three-game Interleague set.

Asked about the rough start to the outing, which saw Zimmermann throw 33 of his 105 total pitches and give up three of the seven hits he would allow in the first, Nats' skipper Matt Williams said Seattle's hitters were just attacking early in the game.

"He was throwing the ball in the strike zone with his fastball and then found his breaking ball in [the] third or fourth inning..." -Matt Williams on Zimmermann vs the Mariners

"I just think they were aggressive," Williams said, "and he was throwing the ball in the strike zone with his fastball and then found his breaking ball in [the] third or fourth inning. So, that allowed him to get comfortable out there and make pitches."

"In the first couple of innings we hit some balls hard," former Nationals' coach and current Mariners' bench coach Trent Jewett said, after filling in as the manager for Seattle that day. "He kept pouring it in the strike zone, that's what he does, that's typical of his outings, he's going to keep coming after you and he did it again tonight."

In earning his 10th win of the season overall, Zimmermann improved to (5-3) in 12 starts on the road this season with a 3.09 ERA, a 2.73 FIP and a .242/.271/.390 line against in 75 ⅔ IP away from the nation's capital and (4-0) so far in eight second-half starts, over which he's put up a 2.73 ERA, a 2.67 FIP and a .234/.260/.360 line against in 52 ⅔ IP.

In this afternoon's outing in L.A., Zimmermann was taking on the Dodgers for the second time this season and the sixth time in his major league career.

"He kept pouring it in the strike zone, that's what he does, that's typical of his outings, he's going to keep coming after you and he did it again tonight." -Trent Jewett on Zimmermann vs Seattle

Zimmermann threw four scoreless against Los Angeles in May in Nationals Park, in a start that was cut short by a rain delay.

In five starts against the Dodgers in his six MLB seasons, the 27-year-old right-hander was (2-1) with a 5.61 ERA, seven walks (2.45 BB/9) and 17 Ks (5.96 K/9) in 25 ⅔ IP before this afternoon's outing, over which L.A.'s hitters put up a combined .324/.368/.514 line against the Auburndale, Wisconsin-born starter.

Two of the five starts against the Dodgers have taken place in Dodger Stadium, where the '07 2nd Round pick was (1-0) with a 5.27 ERA in 13 ⅔ IP over which he has a .283/.316/.434 line against.

Zimmermann's start in the series finale in Los Angeles began with a pop to catcher Jose Lobaton...

1st: Dee Gordon hit a home run in a silo, popping up high into the Los Angeles sky for the first out of the Dodgers' first. Yasiel Puig tried to bunt his way on, but Anthony Rendon made a barehand play and strong throw for out no.2. Adrian Gonzalez sent a fly ball to center for out no.3 to end a 10-pitch, 1-2-3 first for Zimmermann.

2nd: Hanley Ramirez grounded out to second, off Zimmermann's glove. A high 96 mph 0-2 heater got Carl Crawford swinging for out no.2. Justin Turner went the other way with a 1-0 fastball, singling to right with two down. Joc Pederson stepped in with one on and two out took a knee-high 2-2 fastball for a called strike three. 14-pitch frame, 24 pitches total after two scoreless.

3rd: Dodgers' catcher Tim Federowicz popped out to Tyler Moore for the first out of the home third. Carlos Frias K'd swinging through an 0-2 fastball. Dee Gordon fell behind 0-2 and K'd swinging at a 90 mph 2-2 fastball inside. 16-pitch frame for Zimmermann, 40 total after three.

4th: Yasiel Puig took a 1-2 fastball for a called strike three and Zimmermann's 5th K. Adrian Gonzalez sent out no.2 to Bryce Harper in left. Hanley Ramirez fell behind 0-2 quickly and took a 95 mph fastball he thought was inside for a called strike three, out no.3 and K no.6 for Zimmermann, who was up to 52 pitches after a 12-pitch, 1-2-3 fourth.

5th: Carl Crawford hit a one-hop pop to short for the first out of the Dodgers' fifth. Justin Turner took a 95 mph 2-2 fastball for a called strike three, out no.2 and K no.7 for Zimmermann. Joc Pederson took the first walk of the day from the Nats' starter, breaking a streak of nine-straight batters set down. Tim Federowicz stepped in with a runner on and two outs and K'd on a check-swing strike three, chasing a 1-2 curve into the dirt. 8 Ks. 17-pitch fifth, 69 total after five scoreless.

6th: Pinch hitter Darwin Barney walked to start the Dodgers' sixth. Dee Gordon lined out to second after failing to get a bunt down and Barney was doubled up on the soft liner to Asdrubal Cabrera. 4-3 DP. Yasiel Puig singled to center with two down. Adrian Gonzalez got jammed and popped to short right to end a 14-pitch sixth that left Zimmermann at 83 pitches overall.

7th: Hanley Ramirez lined to left-center for what looked like an extra-base hit until Denard Span tracked it down. Carl Crawford dropped a one-out blooper into short right and hustled around to second ahead of a throw in from Jayson Werth. Justin Turner stepped in with a runner in scoring position and claimed he was hit by a 1-2 fastball inside. Home plate ump Paul Schrieber didn't think so, so they went to the replay and the call stood. Turner worked the count full after the non-HBP and hit a 2-run home run to center for a 2-0 lead. That was it for Zimmermann.

• Jordan Zimmermann's Line: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 Ks, 1 HR, 94 P, 64 S, 3/2 GO/FO.

3. Frias vs the Nationals: Carlos Frias, 24, signed as an amateur free agent with Los Angeles in 2007, and debuted last month after 132 games and 89 starts in the Dodgers' system, over which he was (40-34) with 4.23 ERA. In eight appearances after being called up to the majors, the right-hander put up a 5.65 ERA with two walks and 10 Ks in 14 ⅓ IP over which opposing hitters put up a .232/.259/.375 line against him.

The sinker ball-throwing right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque earlier this week to make room on L.A.'s roster for returning starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, then recalled to make this afternoon's start when Don Mattingly decided to push right-hander Dan Haren's start back to this Friday rather than pitch him on short rest... against the team he underperformed for on a one-year deal in 2013.

Frias' first MLB start began with 12-pitch first vs the Nationals in which he worked around a two-out walk to Jayson Werth.

Bryce Harper reached safely on an infield single in the first at bat of the second and moved up on a single to left by Tyler Moore. Frias struck Asdrubal Cabrera out. Harper tagged and took third one out later on a fly ball to right by Jose Lobaton, but Jordan Zimmermann grounded into a force at second to end the 16-pitch frame by Frias, who was up to 28 pitches after two scoreless.

Jayson Werth singled on a blooper to right with two out in the top of the third, but Ian Desmond grounded back to the  mound to end a 14-pitch third by Frias, who was up to 42 pitches.

A quick, 16-pitch, 1-2-3 fourth left the Dodgers' starter at 58 pitches overall. A 10-pitch, 1-2-3 fifth gave Frias seven straight outs and five scoreless on 68 pitches. Another 1-2-3 frame in the sixth gave Frias ten straight outs and left him at 77 pitches.

• Carlos Frias' Line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 Ks, 77 P, 52 S, 9/4 GO/FO.

2. #MooreMooreMoore - T-Mo Tracker: Called back up for the first time since May 30th when rosters expanded earlier this week, 27-year-old Nats' slugger Tyler Moore got the start this afternoon for the first time since May 25th with Nats' first baseman Adam LaRoche sitting out with back tightness.

Moore, an '08 16th Round pick out of Mississippisi State University, debuted in the majors in 2012 with the NL East Division champs, putting up a .263/.327/.513 line with nine doubles and 10 HRs in 75 games and 171 plate appearances off the Nats' bench, over which he was worth +0.6 fWAR.

Moore struggled in the same role in 2013, though, putting up a .222/.260/.347 line with nine doubles and four home runs in 63 games and 167 PAs, and finishing his second MLB season at -1.2 fWAR.

In 35 games and 79 PAs in the majors this season, Moore put up a .211/.291/.366 line with two doubles and two home runs. On the year with the Nationals' top minor league affiliate, Moore posted a .265/.367/.434 line with 21 doubles and 10 HRs in 84 games and 302 PAs.

Given the chance to start this afternoon with LaRoche sitting, Moore made a nice stretch at first on a strong throw by Anthony Rendon to get Yasiel Puig on a bunt attempt in the Dodgers' half of the first, then stepped to the plate with a runner on in the top of the second inning and singled through the left side of the infield, though he was stranded.

T-Mo Tracker: 1 for 1.

• Moore grounded out to short the second time up in the top of the fourth. T-Mo Tracker: 1 for 2.

At bat no.3 for Moore came with one down in the top of the seventh. He K'd swinging. T-Mo Tracker: 1 for 3, K.

1. The Wrap-Up: After Carlos Frias' six scoreless, left-hander J.P. Howell took over for the Dodgers in the top of the seventh. Asdrubal Cabrera singled with two down, but was forced out at second on a grounder from Jose Lobaton to Dee Gordon, who made a diving toss to Hanley Ramirez for the final out of the frame.

Nats' lefty Matt Thornton recorded the last two outs of the Dodgers' seventh.

J.P. Howell came back out for the top of the eighth, but Matt Williams and Don Mattingly started mixing and matching.

Scott Hairston picked up a bat, so Mattingly brought Brian Wilson out of the pen.

Williams burned Hairston and brought Nate Schierholtz out.

Schierholtz K'd swinging for the first out of the frame. Denard Span walked with one down. Anthony Rendon battled for 10 pitches before striking out. Jayson Werth stepped in with a runner on and two out, so Don Mattingly went to the pen for Kenley Jansen. Werth worked the count full and walked. Ian Desmond stepped in as the go-ahead run and sent a fly to Joc Pederson in center for out no.3. Still 2-0 L.A.

Drew Storen came on in the bottom of the eighth. Dee Gordon singled with one down and appeared to steal second, but upon review it was ruled that his foot came off the bag while Asdrubal Cabrera was applying the tag. Yasiel Puig's groundout to short ended the inning.

Jansen came back out and gave up a leadoff single by Bryce Harper. Adam LaRoche stepped in for Tyler Moore and hit a two-run pinch hit home run to left field to tie things up at 2-2. LaRoche's 20th. Tie game. Jose Lobaton singled to right with one down. Pinch runner Danny Espinosa stole second with Steven Souza up and took third on Souza's groundout to short. Denard Span... RBI single! 3-2 Nationals when Espinosa scored.

Pitch it, Soriano! Pitch it, Soriano! Strike'em out, Soriano! Strike'em out, Soriano!! Rafael Soriano came on in the ninth looking for save no.32 of 2014. Adrian Gonzalez lined out to right. ONE! Andre Ethier worked the count full and walked. Carl Crawford battled but K'd swinging through a 1-2 fastball. TWO!! Justin Turner sent a fly to right field... Jayson Werth tracked it and ... dropped it. NO! Ethier scored to tie it up at 3-3. Joc Pederson K'd to end the inning, but it was all tied up.

Pedro Baez came back out in the tenth and retired the side in order.

Craig Stammen came on for the Nationals in the bottom of the tenth. A.J. Ellis walked with one down. Dee Gordon singled through the right side to put two on. Yasiel Puig stepped in with a runner in scoring position and singled to right to load the bases with one down. Adrian Gonzalez vs Xavier Cedeno? Pinch runner Esribel Aaruebarrena came on at third. Gonzalez... K'd swinging at a 1-2 curve in the dirt. Two down. Aaron Barrett vs Juan Uribe? Uribe fell behind 0-2 and K'd swinging.

Jamey Wright hit Adam LaRoche in the first at bat of the eleventh. Asdrubal Cabrera bunted him over/gave up an out. Sandy Leon walked. Kevin Frandsen hit for Aaron Barrett and moved both runners up with a groundout. Denard Span? Groundout to first.

Jerry Blevins took the mound in the Dodgers' eleventh and gave up back-to-back singles by Carl Crawford and Justin Turner. Joc Pederson bunted them over. Matt Kemp was put on, loading them up with one down. Dodgers' catcher Drew Butera worked the count full and popped up to third for out no.2. Dee Gordon K'd swinging.

Still tied at 3-3.

Brandon League came on for the Dodgers in the top of the twelfth and walked Anthony Rendon to start the frame. Jayson Werth singled to left. One out later, Bryce Harper singled to center and Adam LaRoche drove two runs in with a line drive to left field. 5-3 Nationals.

Tyler Clippard gave up a one-out single by Juan Uribe... and a game-tying two-run home run by Carl Crawford. 5-5.

On to the thirteenth...

Kevin Correia threw a scoreless top of the thirteenth.

Blake Treinen gave up a leadoff single to left by Joc Pederson, but Correia K'd trying to bunt. A pick attempt got by Adam LaRoche, doing what Correia couldn't. Pederson took third on Drew Butera's groundout. Dee Gordon? Grounded back to the mound.

On to the fourteenth...

Correia came back out for another inning of work... Ian Desmond reached on an error by Justin Turner with one down. Bryce Harper worked a walk to put two runners on in front of Adam LaRoche. A wild pitch allowed Desmond to take third and he scored when Adam LaRoche grounded into a force at second but beat out the back end of a double play attempt. 6-5. Asdrubal Cabrera's two-run home run to right made it 8-5.

Treinen came back out to end it and gave up a one-out single to center by Adrian Gonzalez but nothing else in a scoreless frame. Ballgame. 5 hours and 34 minutes later.

Nationals now 79-59

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