Nationals offense flexes muscles in 8-3 win over Dodgers

LOS ANGELES - The Nationals offense exploded with two big innings in their 8-3 series-altering victory over the Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Monday.

Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman each contributed two RBIs as the Nationals scored four runs in the third and ninth innings. They were the biggest innings the Nationals had ever enjoyed in a postseason game since their return to D.C. in 2005.

The four-run ninth inning blew open a tense 4-3 contest for manager Dusty Baker.

"That was big because we exploded in the third and then we didn't explode again until the ninth," said Baker. "It was like, boy, we were wondering, we've got to score some more runs here because this game is close and they have so much firepower over there, especially in a one-run game."

The Nationals now lead the best-of-five series 2-1 with Game 4 slated for Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Rendon crushed a two-run shot in the third, while Werth delivered a back-breaking solo shot in the ninth. Zimmerman also added a two-run double to highlight the four runs in their final at-bat.

Werth was asked if that was the hardest home run ball he ever hit. The pitch from Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen came off Werth's bat at 110 mph and traveled 450 feet.

"That one felt pretty good," Werth said. "I played a lot of games here and I've always wanted to hit one out of the stadium. I never thought it was possible, and I still feel the same way. So that ball doesn't get out (of the stadium), I don't think I can do it."

Werth went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Zimmerman went 2-for-4 with a run. Bryce Harper went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI and Chris Heisey added a sac fly RBI.

"It's hard to score runs in the postseason," Zimmerman said. "Third inning and the fourth inning, both starting pitchers are out and they're starting to match up. It's not easy to get hits and score runs when people are bringing in guys from the bullpen that are tough on righties and tough on lefties.

"Those guys are here for a reason, too. You got to kind of scratch and claw and take advantage of every opportunity that you get."

Rendon has become another critical piece in the Nationals lineup and has been surging the second half of the season, with 52 RBIs. He had 43 RBIs the last two months of the season, including 13 homers since July.

He picked up where he left off to end the season, with the two-run shot in the third, his first postseason extra-base hit.

Why has he been so good at driving guys in since July 1?

"I'm not sure," Rendon said. "I guess if I knew the answer to that, it wouldn't have just been the last 80 or 90 games. It would have been the whole 162. I think just trying to stay within myself, trying not to do too much and just trying to put the barrel on the ball like I've been taught ever since I was younger."

The Nationals built up their lead early in the season with starting pitching. The bullpen has come up big and been a showcase to start this series. Now the offense displays that it can hold its own and win games for the club as well. Werth believes that is a hidden gem that many don't believe is a top strength for this team.

"I feel like we can slug with anybody," Werth said. "We have the type of lineup that has balance. I saw some stat, we had six guys that hit 20 home runs. That doesn't happen very often.

"We've got the team that I feel like can slug, we have pitching that can pitch and we have the bullpen that can shut people down like they have done the last couple of games."

Do it one more time and they will make Nationals (circa 2005-present) postseason history.