Sanchez aims to help Nationals bounce back vs. Dodgers

The Washington Nationals were on the cusp of completing a four-game sweep and adding another notch to their sterling two-month run before a tired bullpen ran out of steam. The Nationals won't have long to lament their last contest as they open a three-game series Friday against left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu (11-2, 1.76 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who own the top record in the National League. Anthony Rendon belted a three-run homer and Matt Adams also went deep on Thursday for Washington, but Fernando Rodney failed to preserve a one-run lead in the ninth inning and Colorado won 8-7 to avoid the sweep.