Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals: Final Score & Recap

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 8-5 at Nationals Park on September 8, 2023, handing Washington a loss the DiamondIQ model had anticipated, having estimated just a 37% pre-game win probability for the home side. Los Angeles built its advantage in bursts, with Enrique Hernández and Max Muncy each launching home runs off MacKenzie Gore in the fourth inning — swings that shifted win probability by +11.6% and +11.3% respectively — and then blew the game open with a four-run sixth against Jordan Weems, during which Chris Taylor's double (+12.5%) and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Will Smith (+10.1%) did the critical damage. Washington momentarily closed the gap in the bottom of the fifth when CJ Abrams connected for a home run off Emmet Sheehan, a blow that carried the single largest win-probability swing of the night at +17.4% and briefly kept Nationals hopes alive.

Despite Abrams generating the game's most consequential individual moment, the Dodgers' lead proved durable. Abrams finished as the top batter by WPA at +22.4% with a RE24 of +1.6, but his team ultimately fell short. Freddie Freeman contributed significantly for Los Angeles, finishing second among all batters at +14.1% WPA and +0.9 RE24, while Hernández rounded out the top three at +13.7% WPA. Out of the bullpen, Alex Vesia led all pitchers with +8.8% WPA, followed by Victor González at +6.3% and Ryan Brasier at +5.2%, as the Dodgers' relief corps held Washington scoreless over the final four innings to secure the three-run victory.