Clan-Members » h teams also were initially cagey about their starti

LOS ANGELES -- When Carlos Ruiz cracked the Dodgers first postseason pinch-hit homer in Los Angeles since a guy named Kirk Gibson did it a generation ago, the hallowed stadium shook with the possibilities.In that moment, Dodgers fans figured their team was ready to end the October doldrums currently bedeviling a franchise that has won four straight NL West titles, but just one playoff series.Instead, the Dodgers never scored again in their 8-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday, dropping them into a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-five Division Series.Reliable starter Kenta Maeda flopped in his rookie seasons biggest moment, and vaunted closer Kenley Jansen was tagged for four more runs. Aside from Ruizs two-run shot, the Dodgers couldnt slug with the Nationals potent lineup. Los Angeles lost for the 12th time in 18 playoff games since beating Atlanta in the 2013 NLDS.Starting with Game 4 on Tuesday at Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers will need back-to-back wins on both sides of the continent to avoid a fourth straight postseason disappointment.Weve missed the big hit for the last two games, but it happens, said rookie shortstop Corey Seager, who hit an RBI double in the first inning. Weve got to move on and find that big hit.Nobody managed two hits for the Dodgers, who are on the brink of losing their third consecutive division series and their fourth straight playoff series. They havent been to the World Series since 1988, when Gibson hit his iconic homer off Oaklands Dennis Eckersley to propel Los Angeles toward its most recent championship.The Nationals havent won a playoff series since they were the 1981 Montreal Expos, but they might have found an opponent with even more deep-seated postseason problems.Were not afraid of this, first-year Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Its been a long season. Its been a lot of highs and lows. But I know that theres no quit in our guys.The Dodgers never recovered after Washington chased Maeda with four hits and four runs in the third inning. Ruizs homer trimmed the Dodgers deficit to 4-3 in the fifth, but the Nationals bullpen continued its utter mastery over Los Angeles with 4 2/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball.The collapse was psychologically capped when Jansen entered a one-run game and gave up four more, retiring just one of his five batters in the ninth. Jansen yielded Jayson Werths massive homer and got chased when Josh Reddick botched Ryan Zimmermans catchable fly to right, scoring two more runs.We cant lose another one, so weve just got to compete, Jansen said in a subdued clubhouse. We still have a shot to win two, and why not?MAEDA MISSESMaeda was the unexpected stalwart this season in the Dodgers patchwork rotation, which lost Clayton Kershaw to injuries and Zack Greinke to Arizonas $206.5 million largesse.Maeda led Los Angeles with 16 victories, 175 2/3 innings, 179 strikeouts and a career-high 32 starts while the Dodgers gave extra rest to the 28-year-old rookie to get close to his usual weeklong gaps between starts.He was the only starter to remain in the injury-plagued rotation all season, but perhaps the longest and most draining year of his baseball career finally caught up to him: Maeda needed 28 pitches just to escape the first inning on a brilliantly sunny afternoon, fanning Zimmerman with the bases loaded to end it.His real trouble came in the third when Trea Turner led off with a single and scored on Jayson Werths double. Bryce Harper delivered a one-out RBI single, and Rendon brought him home with his first career postseason homer.Roberts pulled Maeda for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the third.I was very regretful that it didnt turn out to be a good outing, Maeda said. I understand it was a very big situation. I went in there as a must-win situation. I wasnt nervous at all, but I just didnt have my day.LEFTY RIGHTSRoberts attempted to counteract the Dodgers struggles against left-handed pitching by inserting Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson and Charlie Culberson, but the trio went 1 for 10 with Pedersons fifth-inning single before Ruizs homer.HOME COOKEDThe Dodgers won 53 home games this season, tied for the second-most in the majors. Theyve lost four of their six home playoff games over the past three division series, however.UP NEXTThe teams left the park not knowing when Game 4 will start on Tuesday, thanks to televisions control of the schedule. Both teams also were initially cagey about their starting pitchers. The Dodgers must choose between Kershaw on short rest or youngster Julio Urias (5-2, 3.39 ERA). The Nationals are likely to use Joe Ross (7-5, 3.43) or Reynaldo Lopez (5-3, 4.91), keeping 20-game winner Max Scherzer in reserve for a Game 5 or the NLCS. Cheap Raptors Jerseys Authentic . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Delon Wright Jersey . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. http://www.cheapraptorsjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-malachi-richardson-jersey . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Alfonzo McKinnie Jersey . 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