Dodgers Lose Series As Nationals Spoil Landon Knack’s MLB Debut

The Los Angeles Dodgers had their chances in Wednesday’s game but could not come through with runners in scoring position and ultimately dropped the series with a 2-0 loss to the Washington Nationals. The shutout loss was the Dodgers’ first since July 30, 2023.

The Dodgers unfortunately let an showing by prospect Landon Knack go to waste as they could not provide any run support for the young right-hander in his MLB debut. Knack had a rough beginning to his Major League career as he gave up two runs in the first inning, including a leadoff homer to the red-hot CJ Abrams.

However, a full-count strikeout of Nick Senzel to escape the first inning without any further damage was the turning point in Knack’s start. He showed an extraordinary amount of poise and completely turned his afternoon around.

Knack finished his outing by retiring the final 10 batters faced. He held the Nationals to just the two runs and collected four strikeouts while getting through five innings on 75 pitches.

The Dodgers’ offense was unable to capitalize on early run-scoring opportunities and collectively was pretty quiet the rest of the way. The team was a combined 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left six on base. Their best chance to score came in the first inning when they had two on and only one out with Will Smith and Max Muncy due up, but nothing came of it.

The Dodgers also threatened in the second and fourth innings with one-out doubles in each frame but both times the runner was stranded.

Shohei Ohtani extended his on-base streak to 17 games with a 3-for-4 day, but the rest of the lineup combined for just three hits.

Some of that was due to Luis García Jr. having a stellar defensive day at second base. Among other plays he made, García robbed Freddie Freeman of a likely RBI single to end the eighth inning.

Dodgers offense inconsistent against Nationals

In the series opener, the Dodgers collected nine hits, but were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position in a 6-4 loss.

They increased their hit total to 13 on Tuesday night and were slightly better with RISP at 4-for-13. However, they couldn’t muster any offense in the final game with only five hits.