Friday, September 4, 2026

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

Despite ninth-inning drama, the Dodgers beat a team that they should beat. For once, they didn’t waste many scoring opportunities, leaving five runners on base. Again, Blake Snell was brilliant.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals, 5–3, on a Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

After Teoscar Hernández showed the team how to get a timely hit, Mookie Betts took notes. In the third inning, with two runners on, Mookie Betts’ single brought home Kyle Tucker, who walked. Hernández duplicated what he did on Thursday, doubling in two runs. The Dodgers took advantage of an error to score. In the sixth inning, Tucker blasted a home run.

Dave Roberts said that the offense started to perform, but he loves the two wins.

Since Snell has returned from the IL, he has been excellent. He might not have been as efficient on Friday as he wanted, but Roberts said that Snell’s misses weren’t that bad. Snell wants to locate the fastball better. His curveball was sharp, even when it was high in the strike zone. He had seven strikeouts and two walks.

Eduardo Henriquez continues to climb Roberts’ trust tree with a ten-pitch seventh inning.

Kyle Hurt got the first two quick outs in the eighth inning but couldn’t get the last one. Tanner Scott came in to retire the last out on a deep fly ball.

Seth Halverson struggled in the ninth inning and couldn’t retire a batter. Jack Dreyer came in and was victimized by a stumble by Alex Freeland, but he could end the victory.

Shohei Ohtani sat for the second consecutive game with a sore biceps and neck. The Dodgers list him day-to-day, but he may not play this series. Freddie Freeman had a scheduled day off.

With Tyler Glasnow on the mound, the Dodgers will try to lengthen their winning streak against the Nationals.