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Dodgers shoot for series win versus Nats

Jul 24, 2011 - 2:33 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers take aim at a series win this afternoon when they wrap up their three-game set against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium.

After losing Friday's opener, the Dodgers bounced back in dramatic fashion on Saturday, as Rafael Furcal's RBI double in the ninth proved to be the difference in a 7-6 win.

With Ryan Mattheus (2-2) on the mound, Rod Barajas led off with a single, but was forced out at second on Trent Oeltjen's sacrifice bunt attempt. Jamey Carroll then singled and Furcal won the game with a double over the head of left fielder Laynce Nix.

"I've been fighting myself, the way I'm hitting right now," said Furcal. "The team played so good. It was an exciting game, coming from behind to win."

Furcal made a winner of Javy Guerra (2-0), who pitched a perfect ninth to help the Dodgers win for just the second time in their past seven games.

Jayson Werth and Rick Ankiel each drove in a pair of runs for the Nationals, who have now lost three of four. Tom Gorzelanny lasted just three innings as he gave up five runs on eight hits.

Heading to the hill for the Dodgers this afternoon will be right-hander Chad Billingsley, who is 8-8 with a 4.07 earned run average. Billingsley lost for the second time in three starts on Monday in San Francisco, as the Giants pounded him for five runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Billingsley has faced the Nationals five times and is 3-1 against them with a 2.76 ERA.

Washington, meanwhile, will counter with righty Jason Marquis, who is coming off a terrific effort his last time out. Marquis beat the Houston Astros on Monday, holding them to a pair of runs and six hits and matched a season-high with nine strikeouts in eight innings to improve to 8-4 on the year to go along with a 3.92 ERA.

"I was able to get ahead early. I got some quick outs," marquis said. "They were being aggressive. I've been feeling pretty good all year. I had a good sinker-slider combo tonight. I'll take the strikeouts if they're quick, three or four pitches. I was a little disappointed I gave up the lead in the mid- innings."

In 13 games (12 starts) against the Dodgers, Marquis has posted a 5-3 mark with a 2.40 ERA.

The Dodgers split their six matchups with the Nationals last season.