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Dodgers ride three-run sixth in win over Nationals

Aug 28, 2007 - 5:37 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a two-run deficit with four consecutive base hits in the sixth inning to post a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals.

With the Dodgers trailing, 4-2, in the sixth, Jeff Kent started the frame with an infield single off Nationals starter Mike Bacsik (5-8) and moved to third when Andre Ethier singled to right. Russell Martin then singled to center to plate Kent and cut Washington's lead to 4-3.

James Loney capped off the hot stretch for the Dodgers, singling to right against Jesus Colome, who had just relieved Bacsik, to score Ethier to tie the contest at 4-4 and advance Martin to third.

"I was just looking for a pitch to drive hard after working the count in my favor," Loney said. "Every game is a big game for us for the rest of the season."

After attempting a squeeze bunt on the first pitch he saw from Colome, Ramon Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center to push across Martin, giving Los Angeles a 5-4 advantage.

"It was just one of those wins that we needed to give us another boost," Martin said. The comeback victory was the Dodgers' 28th this season as they moved to 25-17 in one-run contests this season.

"To come back and win the game after getting down is big for our team," Martin said.

Derek Lowe (11-11) tossed six frames to win his third consecutive start, the first time he has accomplished that since August 29-September 6, 2006.

Mark Hendrickson and Scott Proctor each recorded a scoreless inning before handing it over to closer Takashi Saito, who worked around a one-out single in the ninth to Ron Belliard to notch his 35th save in 38 chances.

"Derek came out and gave us a good outing and kept us within striking distance," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "Our bullpen is outstanding and they came in and put zeros up and picked up the slack to give (the rest of) our bullpen some rest."

Dmitri Young and Ryan Zimmerman each hit solo homers and Wily Mo Pena belted his fourth homer since becoming a National on August 17 as Washington fell to 8-56 in games in which it trails after six innings.

"We hit the ball good tonight off Lowe, but he managed to keep guys off base when we hit the home runs," Young said. "If we could have had some people on base with the home runs, then we would have pulled this one out."

Los Angeles (68-63) moved within 5 1/2 games of first place in the National League West as division leader Arizona (74-58) lost to San Diego (71-59), which maintained their 3 1/2-game advantage in the wild card race.

"At this point in the season, it doesn't matter how I get outs or how we get wins," Lowe said. "As long as we keep playing good baseball and don't worry about what other teams are doing, we will be fine."