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Guzman hits for cycle, Nationals sweep Dodgers

Aug 29, 2008 - 3:38 AM By Jeff Campbell PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Cristian Guzman hit for the cycle and Elijah Dukes belted two home runs as the Washington Nationals swept a three-game series from the reeling Los Angeles Dodgers, 11-2, on Thursday.

Guzman drove in three runs, including a home run in the first inning and an RBI triple in the eighth to complete his first career cycle.

Guzman became the first Nationals player in over three years to hit for the cycle. Brad Wilkerson last accomplished the feat on April 6, 2005 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I know I needed a triple, as soon as I hit the ball I was going for it. Everybody was saying, 'Hit a triple! Hit a triple!' - and I did," Guzman said.

The Nationals' lone representative in the All-Star game, Guzman also collected a single in the second inning and hit a run-scoring double in the sixth inning.

Dukes, who was playing in his second game back from the disabled list, connected on a three-run opposite field shot in the first inning and added a solo home run in the seventh. He had missed 19 games with a right calf strain.

"He brings to our lineup what we desperately need. That's why it's so good to have him in there," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "Every time he steps to the plate, he has a chance to hit the ball over the fence - that's how strong he is and something we lack in our lineup"

"I just want to stay healthy and just keep competing on the field," Dukes said. "To get hurt, it's depressing."

The Nationals handed the Dodgers their seventh straight loss and 10th in their last 12 games.

"It was a very special series for us," Acta said. "Especially after we were swept on the West Coast."

The Dodgers also have lost nine straight on the road, their longest such skid since dropping 11 games in a row from June 2-21, 1992.

"Nothing magical, we just need to win a ball game right now. It doesn't feel too good right now," Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said.

Dodgers rookie starter Clayton Kershaw (2-5) lasted only 2 1/3 innings, giving up five runs, five hits and three walks in his shortest outing of the season.

"Kershaw was doing more throwing than pitching," Torre said.

Manny Ramirez gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the first inning.

The Nationals answered back with five runs in the bottom half of the inning. Guzman's solo shot got the Nationals on the board, and Ronnie Belliard preceded Dukes' three-run homer with a two-run single.

John Lannan (8-12) notched his 18th quality start of the season, tossing six innings while giving up two runs and four hits with three walks and two strikeouts. The Nationals improved to just 7-11 when Lannan throws a quality start.

"I thought the pitch to Manny was a good pitch," Lannan said. "I tipped my cap to him and moved on."