Fister and Kershaw in a battle from L.A. (Dodgers win 4-1)

The much-anticipated match-up between Nationals right-hander Doug Fister and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw got off to a predictable start. The pair have combined for 28 wins and are known to put up a ton of zeroes. Kershaw allowed a two-out walk in the first to Jayson Werth, but then was able to get clean-up hitter Ian Desmond on a looping 75 mph curveball that was called strike three. Fister also surrendered a two-out free pass to Adrian Gonzalez, but then got Matt Kemp to fly out to center fielder Bryce Harper. No score after one inning at Chavez Ravine. Update: The Nationals notched a base hit courtesy of Wilson Ramos in the second. The Dodgers enjoyed back-to-back singles from Joc Pederson (first major league hit) and A.J. Ellis in the bottom of the frame. But Kershaw and Fister have both kept the other team off the board. There's still no score through three innings. Update II: The Dodgers had a big chance to score in the fourth. Matt Kemp led off with a double over Harper's head in center field. Carl Crawford's dribbler to Fister turned into a single when the throw went through Kevin Frandsen's legs at first base. Asdrubal Cabrera was backing up the play and threw home to nab Kemp sliding into a Ramos tag. Fister then got Pederson to strike out to end the inning. Still no score through four innings. Update III: The Dodgers got on the board in the fifth. Kershaw singled. Dee Gordon singled to center and Kershaw went to third. Gordon got to second on the throw. With two outs, Gonzalez's infield single scored Kershaw and the Dodgers led 1-0. Desmond tried to recover the ball and threw over Ramos' head at the plate, which let Gordon score, and the Dodgers led 2-0. Desmond was charged with an error. The Dodgers lead 2-0 after five innings. The Nationals have just one hit. Update IV: Juan Uribe hit his seventh homer of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth, and the Dodgers have extended their advantage to 4-0. Fister finished five innings plus four batters, allowing 10 hits and four runs (three earned) while walking two and striking out two. He threw 98 pitches, 65 for strikes. Update V: Harper connected on his 11th homer of the season, a solo shot in the seventh, breaking up Kershaw's shutout. That cut the Dodgers' lead to 4-1. Update VI: Kenley Jansen came on in the ninth for his 39th save. Werth reached on a throwing error by Hanley Ramirez. Desmond, Ramos and Harper then struck out. So the Dodgers downed the Nationals 4-1. The Nationals will go for the series win Wednesday and still have a chance at a 4-5 road trip.