Bottom of the order gets the job done in 6-5 victory over the Nationals

The bottom of the Dodgers lineup was a significant reason for the 6-5 Dodgers win over the Nationals in their series opener Friday.

The bottom of the Dodgers (46-30) lineup was a significant reason for the Dodgers’ 6-5 win over the Nationals (31-44) in the series opener Friday. Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy weren’t in the starting lineup, but Enrique Hernández and Miguel Rojas had two hits each to turn the lineup over and set the table for leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani.

Things got a bit dicey in the latter innings when Washington scored three unanswered runs, but the Dodgers bullpen was able to hold on for the series opener win.

The Nats were the first to score. Ahmed Rosario took a 88 mph four-seam Kershaw fastball for a ride over the center field fence in the first inning to give the Nationals an early 1-0 lead.

MacKenzie Gore unraveled in the third inning, and the Dodgers notched a three-spot to take the lead. Enrique Hernández started the rally with a leadoff ground-rule double off the first pitch of the inning.

Three hits, two walks and an error later, the Dodgers flipped the script after being down early.

Miguel Rojas did a great job to put himself in scoring position for Shohei Ohtani with a two-out double in the bottom of the fourth. A passed ball by catcher Riley Adams allowed Rojas to take third. Ohtani wasted no time and brought Rojas home with an RBI base hit to extend the Dodgers’ lead to three.

Adams made up for his mistake behind the plate with a solo home run against Kershaw in the top of the fifth.

Kershaw ended his night after five innings of work and eight strikeouts away from 3,000 for his career.

The Dodgers doubled their lead in the sixth and chased Gore from the game with a Rojas two-out two-run home run.

Alex Vesia loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh to give the Nats an ample opportunity to get right back in the game. Vesia dug deep and caught the very edge of the strike zone to strike out the dangerous James Wood looking.

Kirby Yates was called out of the bullpen for the last out, but pinch-hitter Luis García Jr. got to a splitter for a two-RBI double to right field. Bench coach and acting manager Danny Lehmann were in charge Friday night while Dave Roberts served his one-game suspension after the Thursday night brouhaha with the Padres.

Michael Conforto made a diving catch for the third out to keep the Dodgers in front 6-4.

Jack Dreyer also contributed and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning to help protect the lead.

Tanner Scott served up a ninth-inning solo home run to CJ Abrams with one out in the top of the ninth to make it a one-run game. Despite the late rally by Washington, Scott was able to retire Woods for the final out to secure the win.

Friday particulars

Home runs: Ahmed Rosario (4), Riley Adams (3), Miguel Rojas (3), CJ Abrams (10)

WP — Clayton Kershaw (3-0): 5 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks (78 pitches)

LP — MacKenzie Gore (3-7): 5 ⅔ IP, 7 hits, 6 runs, 4 strikeouts, 4 walks (100 pitches)

S — Tanner Scott (15): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, no strikeouts, no walks

Up next

Dustin May (4-4, 4.46 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) takes on Jake Irvin (5-3, 4.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) in the second game of the series Saturday night (7:10 p.m.; SportsNet LA, MLB Network).