Dodgers earn 4th straight victory

WASHINGTON— Any shred of doubt the Dodgers absorbed from their 11-game losing streak has been emphatically erased.

After their fourth win in a row, 3-2 over the National League East-champion Nationals on Saturday, the Dodgers cranked up the hip-hop in the clubhouse and spoke excitedly about being back on track toward making this a memorable year.

Cody Bellinger hit his 38th homer to match the NL singleseason record for rookies, and the Dodgers clinched a second straight series win on the heels of their horrific skid.

“You never feel as if doubt creeps in (with) a team this talented, but I guess the way we were going that might have creeped in a little bit,” manager Dave Roberts acknowledged. “To win a series (against the Giants) in the Bay Area — which we very rarely do — and come here against a very good team, we’re trying to get that swagger back.” Consider it done. Chase Utley had two doubles and scored twice to help the Dodgers reduce their magic number for winning the NL West to five. Rich Hill and five relievers combined on a four-hitter.

“You can see the conviction behind every play, every swing and every pitch,” said Hill, who allowed one hit in five innings and struck out seven. “Everybody feel good and continues to do the work.”

The Dodgers also moved seven games ahead of the Nationals in the race to secure home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.

“Home-field advantage is a plus, but regardless of where you’re playing you’ve got to play good,” Roberts said.

In addition to his secondinning homer, Bellinger drove in a run with his single in the third.