Sunday, April 5, 2026

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

After a lengthy rain delay at Nationals Park, the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a five-run deficit to defeat the Washington Nationals, 8–6.

Roki Sasaki was sharp in the first two innings and then lost his command in the third. He pitched better than the box score showed. In his five innings, he struck out five and walked three. He threw two center-cut pitches, and the Nationals didn’t miss them. Those multiple-run homers cost Sasaki. Sasaki’s cutter was sharp. If he keeps improving, he will hold his spot in the rotation.

Before coming to Washington DC, the Dodgers struggled offensively. In the series with the Nationals, they scored 31 runs. Scoring eight runs without the injured Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker, Max Muncy, and Will Smith was impressive.

In the third, Shohei Ohtani blasted a solo home run.

Dalton Rushing socked a two-run homer in the sixth.

In the eighth, after Freddie Freeman’s single, Andy Pages’ double, and Alex Call’s walk, Santiago Espinal singled Freeman and Pages home.  Smith, pinch-hitting for Rushing, walked. Tucker, pinch-hitting for Alex Freeland, hit into a forced play scoring Call. Ohtani’s sacrifice fly brought Espinal home.

Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer, and Tanner Scott struggled with their command but didn’t allow a run.

In the ninth, Teoscar Hernández blasted a solo home run.

Edwin Dìaz made quick work of the Nationals in the ninth to preserve the victory.

After the sweep, the Dodgers will begin a 2025 World Series rematch with the Toronto Blue Jays.