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Dodgers attempt to halt losing streak, avoid sweep vs. Nationals

Aug 28, 2008 - 10:07 AM LA Dodgers (65-68) at Washington (48-85) 7:10 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- A visit to the nation's capital against the majors' worst team was supposed to cure the Los Angeles Dodgers' losing ways. Instead, it has added to their frustration.

The Dodgers aim to halt their season-high six-game losing streak on Thursday against the Washington Nationals.

A lethargic offense contributed to the Dodgers being swept over the weekend in Philadelphia, where they were outscored, 27-5, over four games.

Their play hasn't picked up in Washington. The Dodgers, who entered this series with an 11-1 record over their previous 12 games vs. the Nationals, dropped a 2-1 decision on Tuesday before losing again, 5-4, on Wednesday.

Los Angeles, which has been defeated in eight consecutive road contests, looks to avoid its first sweep by Washington since August 4-6, 1998 when the team was known as the Montreal Expos.

The Dodgers hope Clayton Kershaw (2-4, 4.11 ERA) can repeat the performance he had against Washington on July 27. The lefthander posted his first major league victory in that game by posting six scoreless frames. However, he will be coming off his worst start , surrendering six runs and seven hits over four innings in a 9-2 loss to the Phillies on Saturday.

John Lannan (7-12, 3.95), on the other hand, will try to build off a rare win. The lefthander ended a five-start winless streak in Friday's 13-5 rout of the Chicago Cubs despite allowing five runs and seven hits over 6 1/3 frames.