Dodgers 6, Nationals 3: Justin Turner stays red hot

Justin Turner was the star of the day in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win over the Nationals on Thursday afternoon. The win was the Dodgers’ fifth in six games against Washington.

Turner got things started in the first inning. After an Adrian Gonzalez opposite-field double, Turner launched a 2-run home run off Nats’ starter Stephen Strasburg.

That was a bomb from Turner. pic.twitter.com/E3fjIHt376

— Dustin Nosler (@DustinNosler) July 21, 2016

Since June 7 (37 games), Turner has a .324/.375/.683 triple slash with 14 (!) home runs. His power surge has been unbelievable and very welcome.

The Nats got on the board in the first as the speedy Trea Turner led off with an infield single on what looked to be a routine grounder to shortstop. Michael Taylor followed with a single of his own. Washington executed a double steal and the Dodgers reviewed the play to see if Turner was out at third. It was an ill-advised decision as there was no clear/definitive camera angle. Bryce Harper followed that with a sacrifice fly.

In the third inning, the Dodgers got three consecutive singles from the top of the lineup: Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick (13-game hitting streak) and Gonzalez (RBI single). Then, Turner followed up with his second home run of the game.

https://twitter.com/ChadMoriyama/status/756174847399436288

That 3-run shot gave him a career-high-tying five RBIs. He would also add a walk later in the game.

Julio Urias looked a little rusty early on, but the fact he gave the Dodgers four solid innings was about all that could have been expected from him. His line: 4 IP, 5 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 77 pitches, 51 strikes, 4/0 GO/AO.

The bullpen allowed a couple runs in five innings of work, but all in all, another strong performance. Kenley Jansen picked up his 28th save of the season after setting down the Nationals in the ninth inning.

And it wouldn’t be a Dodger game without a potential injury.

Yasiel Puig out of the game after his awkward run to 1B. Van Slyke in RF.

— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) July 21, 2016

If you can believe this, Yasiel Puig left the game with tightness in his right hamstring. That’s never hurt him much before, right? Ugh.

The Dodgers improve to 54-43 and (for now) are four games behind the Giants in the NL West. They travel to St. Louis for a weekend set with the Cardinals. Brandon McCarthy (1.69 ERA, 1.96 FIP) takes on Michael Wacha (4.45 ERA, 3.63 FIP). First pitch is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Pacific time.