Espinosa lifts Nationals to early lead (Dodgers win 4-3, take NLDS 3-2)

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer benefited from a spectacular diving catch to begin Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers. Chase Utley drove a ball deep into the gap of left-center field. Trea Turner raced to his right and dove to make the catch.

Scherzer was able to get the next two batters on grounders. For the first time in the NLDS, the Dodgers did not score in the first inning.

Scherzer also got the Dodgers 1-2-3 in the second inning.

Left-hander Rich Hill returned the favor with a 1-2-3 first inning of his own.

But in the second, Daniel Murphy led off with an opposite-field single. Murphy has a 19-game postseason on-base streak, which trails only the Orioles' Boog Powell (25 from 1966-71). After Anthony Rendon was caught looking, Murphy stole second base and Ryan Zimmerman walked.

Danny Espinosa served a single into right field and Murphy ran around the tag at home plate, pushing the Nationals ahead 1-0.

Jose Lobaton and Scherzer struck out to end the inning.

After two innings, the Nationals lead the Dodgers 1-0.

Update: The Nationals got a couple of men on in the third. Turner led off with a single, stole second and went to third on Bryce Harper's flyout to center. With two outs, Murphy was walked intentionally. Hill was replaced by Joe Blanton, who allowed Murphy to swipe second. Rendon lined out to center field to end the inning.

Hill finished 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He fired 55 pitches, 34 for strikes.

The Nationals did not score in the inning, but they knocked the Dodgers starter out of the game in the third inning, which could become a big factor as this game plays on.

Update II: In the fifth, Josh Reddick and Joc Pederson led off with back-to-back singles. They were the first hits Scherzer had allowed in the game. After a Yasmani Grandal strikeout, pinch-hitter Andre Ethier struck out on a changeup.

With two outs, Utley grounded a ball right up the middle, but Espinosa was playing that spot on a shift and threw him out to end the inning. The Dodgers left three men on base.

After four and a half innings, the Nationals lead the Dodgers 1-0.

Update III: In the sixth, the Dodgers enjoyed a two-out single from Adrian Gonzalez. But Scherzer got Reddick to fly out to right field to end the inning.

After five and a half innings, the Nationals still lead the Dodgers 1-0.

Update IV: The Nationals have made a couple of baserunning errors. In the fifth, Harper walked with two outs but was caught off first by a Julio Urias pickoff throw.

In the sixth, Jayson Werth walked. After two outs, Zimmerman doubled into the left field corner. Werth was waved home by third base coach Bobby Henley. Left fielder Andrew Toles relayed to shortstop Corey Seager, who threw home to catcher Yasmani Grandal. Grandal met Werth at the plate and he was tagged out to end the inning.

In the seventh, Joc Pederson led off with a solo homer over the left field wall and the Dodgers tied the game at 1-1. Scherzer was lifted for left-hander Marc Rzepczynski. Grandal walked. Blake Treinen was called in to pitch.

Scherzer finished six innings plus one batter, allowing one run on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches, 65 for strikes.

Treinen allowed a broken-bat base hit to left field by pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick, putting runners on first and second. Pinch-hitter Charlie Culberson struck out on a two-strike bunt attempt that went foul.

In a double switch, manager dusty Baker took out Zimmerman and replaced him with first baseman Clint Robinson.

Sammy Solis then faced pinch-hitter Carlos Ruiz who delivered a go-ahead RBI single to left field and the Dodgers lead 2-1.

Seager flew out to center field for the second out. Baker then went to Shawn Kelley.

Justin Turner delivered a two-run triple to deep center field over Trea Turner's head and the Dodgers lead 4-1.

Kelley appeared to injure himself on his first pitch to Adrian Gonzalez. Kelley threw the pitch and immediately looked down at his right arm. Kelley was replaced by left-hander Oliver Perez, who was able to induce a groundout to end the frame.

Just a worst-case scenario inning for the Nats.

The Dodgers scored four runs and lead 4-1 over the Nationals through six and a half innings.

Update V: After a difficult top of the seventh inning, the Nats rallied.

Facing Grant Dayton, Espinosa walked. Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey blasted a two-run shot over the left field wall cutting the deficit to 4-3. Robinson singled and Kenley Jansen replaced Dayton. Trea Turner flew out to right field.

Harper singled to deep left-center, sending pinch-runner Joe Ross to third. Harper stole second base as Werth struck out. Murphy was intentionally walked and Rendon struck out to end the threat.

After seven innings, the Dodgers lead 4-3.

Update VI: In the bottom of the ninth, Jansen struck out Turner, but walked Harper and Werth. With one out, Clayton Kershaw was brought in to face Murphy with two men on.

Murphy popped up to second base for the second out. Pinch-hitter Wilmer Difo struck out to end the game.

The Dodgers end the Nationals' season with a 4-3 win and take the NLDS. Los Angeles wins the series and will face the Cubs in the National League Championship Series.