Washington Nationals (38-64) at Los Angeles Dodgers (49-52), 10:40 p.m.

The Sports Network The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to stay within striking distance of the top spot in the National League West when they open a three- game series with the Washington Nationals this evening at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are a game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the division standings, and have lost two in a row and three of their last five games. In Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies, starter Hiroki Kuroda gave up five runs on nine hits through six innings to take the loss. James Loney finished 3-for-4 in a losing cause for the Dodgers. Taking the ball for LA on Friday will be Chad Billingsley, who is 9-9 with a 3.32 ERA this season. He has lost two of three starts and was beaten by Arizona his last time out on Saturday. He allowed three runs in 5 2/3 frames. Billingsley is 2-0 with a 2.77... [read full story]