Nats rally comes up short in 4-3 loss to Dodgers

Right-hander Max Scherzer struck out Chase Utley to begin the National League Division Series and the sellout crowd at Nationals Park went crazy.

But shortstop Corey Seager crushed the first offering after the strikeout, a 96 mph four-seam fastball, well over the center field fence, for a 1-0 Dodgers lead over the Nationals.

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced his presence by striking out the side in the bottom of the first employing three different out pitches. He got Trea Turner on a slider, Bryce Harper on a fastball and Jayson Werth with a curve.

Scherzer countered by striking out two more in his second inning of work.

Daniel Murphy led off the bottom of the second with a sharp single up the middle. Murphy was erased by Anthony Rendon's fielder's choice, but the Nationals loaded the bases on Ryan Zimmerman's single and an error by second baseman Utley that allowed Pedro Severino to reach. But Kershaw got out of the jam by getting Scherzer to pop out to shortstop Seager in short left field.

The Dodgers lead the Nationals 1-0 after two innings.

Update: It was a rough third inning for Scherzer after a battle in the second. Andrew Toles singled and moved to second on a sacrifice before Utley's RBI single atoned for the earlier error. The Dodgers extended their lead to 2-0.

Toles went to third on a Seager groundout. WIth two outs, Justin Turner launched a two-run homer to left field and the Dodgers led 4-0. Scherzer has allowed two homers and four hits through three frames.

Update II: The Nationals counterpunched in their half of the third. Harper doubled with one out, Werth walkedand the pair pulled off a double steal with Rendon at the plate. Rendon then laced a two-run single to left to cut the Dodgers' lead in half.

Ryan Zimmerman singled again - he is 2-for-2 today - before Danny Espinosa struck out for the second time to end the threat.

The Dodgers lead 4-2 through three innings.

Update III: The Nationals are taxing Kershaw. In the fourth, Severino doubled and went to third on a Scherzer groundout. Turner then smacked a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Severino. The Dodgers lead 4-3 after four frames.

Update IV: Both starters came out in the sixth. Kershaw finished five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. He threw 101 pitches, 65 for strikes. Scherzer lasted six innings, giving up four runs on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts. He had one wild pitch, one hit batter and allowed two homers. Scherzer tossed 91 pitches, 60 for strikes.

Update V: With two outs in the eighth, pinch-hitter Clint Robinson doubled off of Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. Pinch-runner Michael A. Taylor took over for Robinson at second base. Pinch-hitter Chris heisey struck out looking to end the inning. After eight innings, the Dodgers lead 4-3 over the Nationals.

Update VI: Facing Jansen in the bottom of the ninth, Turner struck out on three pitches. Harper drove a hot shot right at the second baseman for the second out. Werth struck otu swinging to end the game.

Jansen earns the save. Scherzer was tagged with the loss and Kershaw notched the win.

The Dodgers hold off the Nationals 4-3.

The Nationals left nine men on base. Game 2 now becomes gigantic for the Nats' hopes as Tanner Roark gets the call Saturday afternoon facing Rich Hill.