Pitchers' duel unfolding Sunday in SoCal (Nats fall 6-0)

LOS ANGELES - A tremendous pitching battle is unfolding on a sun splashed Sunday afternoon in Southern California between right-hander Stephen Strasburg and Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Ryu began with strikeouts of Brian Dozier and Juan Soto in the first inning. He retired the first nine batters he faced, holding the Nationals without a base hit for the first three innings.

Strasburg struck out Joc Pederson to begin the game and enjoyed a 1-2-3 first inning.

But the Dodgers plated a run in the second off Strasburg without the benefit of a hit. Cody Bellinger walked and stole second base. He moved to third on an Alex Verdugo grounder to second base. Bellinger came home thanks to a Corey Seager sacrifice fly to deep left field, caught by Soto. Los Angeles went up 1-0.

In the third, Strasburg got Russell Martin with a knee-buckling curveball for strike three. Both teams held without a base hit for the first three frames.

After three innings, the Dodgers lead the Nats 1-0.

Update: In the top of the fourth, Dozier walked to give the Nats their first baserunner of the game, but no other hitters reached base. They are still hitless against Ryu.

The Dodgers, however, recorded two hits in the bottom half of the fourth against Strasburg to put two runners in scoring position. Verdugo grounded out to Dozier to bring in Justin Turner from third base. Strasburg then struck out Corey Seager to strand Bellinger at third and limit the damage in the inning.

After four complete, the Dodgers lead 2-0.

Update II: Ryu has a no-hitter through six innings. Strasburg appeared to have a single to right field with one out in the top of the sixth, but was thrown out by right fielder Bellinger. The Nationals challenged the call on the field. The call was upheld. Ryu has allowed one base runner -- a Dozier walk in the fourth -- and has struck out six.

After six innings, the Dodgers lead the Nationals 2-0.

Update III: Ryu has a no-hitter through seven innings. He struck out Dozier and Soto looking and Rendon flew out to deep left field.

After seven innings, the Dodgers lead the Nationals 2-0.

Update IV: Saturday's hero Gerardo Parra connected on a 1-1 Ryu pitch for a ground-rule double to the opposite field with one out in the eighth to break up the no-hit bid. But the Nats still were unable to score.

Mid-eighth, the Dodgers lead the Nationals 2-0.

Update V: Strasburg lasted six innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 97 pitches, 67 for strikes.

Seager put the game away with a grand slam in the eighth off of Kyle Barraclough.

Ryu went eight shutout innings, allowing one hit with one walk and nine strikeouts. He recorded nine strikeouts.

Update VI: Kenley Jansen sent the Nats down 1-2-3 in ninth.

The Nats split the four-game set with the Dodgers 2-2, and end road trip 3-7.

Final score: the Dodgers 6, the Nationals 0.