Dodgers strike early, avoid sweep with 7-1 win over Nats

The Washington Nationals' hopes of pulling off one of the most improbable series sweeps in recent baseball history pretty much evaporated in the first inning. After a two-day stumble, the Dodgers are back on track — and they're getting healthier, too. Hanser Alberto had a two-run double during the Dodgers' six-run first inning, and Los Angeles emphatically avoided an improbable sweep by the majors' worst team with a 7-1 victory Wednesday.