Nationals defeat Dodgers 5-2 to even NLDS in Game 2

NLDS 2016, Nationals vs. Dodgers Game 2: Recap and highlights

By Dan Israeli | Oct 9, 2016

Jul 17, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) celebrates after hitting a game tying solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. The Pirates won 2-1 in eighteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

On the strength of a very unlikely home run hero, the Nationals have evened their NLDS matchup with the Dodgers 1-1.

Despite another first inning home run from Corey Seager, the Washington Nationals were able to overcome an early 0-2 hole and defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 in Game 2 of their NLDS matchup. The series is now knotted at 1-1 and will head to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Monday, after Game 2 was moved back one day due to a weather postponement on Saturday.

Following a Josh Reddick RBI single in the third, the Nationals took the lead with a three-run homer from catcher Jose Lobaton. The Nationals would not relinquish the lead and tagged on two more runs via a pair of Daniel Murphy RBI singles. Closer Mark Melancon locked it up in the top of the 9th with a one-hit, clean inning of work.

Nationals starter Tanner Roark did not factor into the decision after pitching 4.1 inning of two-run ball, while giving up seven hits and three walks and striking out just one batter. Hill, who gave up just the second home run off his curveball this season, was tagged for four runs in 4.1 innings, giving up six hits and two walks while striking out seven.

The big home run from Lobaton was actually the second of the light-hitting backup catcher’s postseason career; he hit one for Tampa Bay in the 2013 ALDS against Boston. The seven-year vet was thrust into action due to a torn ACL suffered by Wilson Ramos, the Nationals All-Star catcher, suffered on Sept. 26. Lobaton got his first start of this postseason after Pedro Severino got the start in Game 1.

While Bryce Harper struggled again, going 1-4 with three strikeouts, the Nationals got key offensive contributions from Murphy, who went 3-3 on the day, and rookie Trea Turner. After struggling with no hits and three strikeouts in the opener, his postseason debut, Turner flashed his skill set going 2-4 with a stolen base and a run scored.

On the Dodgers, Justin Turner stayed hot going 2-3 with a run scored while Adrian Gonzalez was limited to one hit and is now 1-9 to start the series.

For Game 3, the hosting Dodgers will throw out rookie Kenta Maeda (16-11, 3.48) against lefty Gio Gonzalez of the Dodgers, who will look to exploit a Dodgers lineup that hit a MLB worst .214 against southpaws this season. The game is scheduled for 1:08 p.m. PT and will air on MLBN.

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