Hill in groove, Dodgers homer early (Nats fall 3-2)

The Dodgers jumped ahead of the Nationals early for the second game in a row.

Facing A.J. Cole, Cody Bellinger launched a solo homer to lead off the second inning. Coming on an 0-1 pitch, it was his 38th homer of the season.

In the third, Bellinger added an RBI single that scored Chase Utley, who had doubled.

Rich Hill has not allowed the Nats a base hit through three innings. Anthony Rendon walked in the second inning. Hill struck out Jayson Werth and Michael A. Taylor looking to end the inning. He also struck out Trea Turner to lead off the game. Despite a walk to Cole in the third, Hill struck out three batters.

After three innings, the Dodgers lead the Nats 2-0.

Update: Rendon crushed a solo homer in the fourth inning for the Nats' first hit and first run. Rendon drove a 1-2 Hill pitch into the Dodgers bullpen for his 24th homer of the year. It marked the first run scored by the Nats in this series.

After four innings, the Dodgers lead the Nats 2-1.

Update II: Another Utley double in the fifth. Corey Seager singled to moved Utley to third. Justin Turner hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Utley.

Mid-fifth at Nats Park, the Dodgers now lead 3-1.

Update III: The Nats rallied in the eighth. With one out, pinch-hitter Wilmer Difo singled. Pinch-hitter Adam Lind reached on a fielding error by Seager, as Difo went to third. Pinch-runner Rafael Bautista replaced Lind. Trea Turner delievered RBI single to score Difo. With two outs, Daniel Murphy's line drive was caught on a diving play by right fielder Yasiel Puig to end the inning.

Cole finished five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts. He tossed 92 pitches with 57 for strikes.

After eight innings, the Dodgers lead 3-2.

Update IV: With Kenley Jansen on in the ninth, Ryan Zimmerman and Rendon grounded out to second base. Werth flew out to the left field foul area to Curtis Granderson to end the game.

Final score: Dodgers 3, Nats 2.

The Dodgers lead the season series 3-2. I don't I need to repeat 3-2 anymore.