attempted to return.Kendall, you think hes got a cha

LOS ANGELES -- When Carlos Ruiz cracked the Dodgers first postseason pinch-hit homer in Los Angeles since a guy named Kirk Gibson did it a generation ago, the hallowed stadium shook with the possibilities.In that moment, Dodgers fans figured their team was ready to end the October doldrums currently bedeviling a franchise that has won four straight NL West titles, but just one playoff series.Instead, the Dodgers never scored again in their 8-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday, dropping them into a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-five Division Series.Reliable starter Kenta Maeda flopped in his rookie seasons biggest moment, and vaunted closer Kenley Jansen was tagged for four more runs. Aside from Ruizs two-run shot, the Dodgers couldnt slug with the Nationals potent lineup. Los Angeles lost for the 12th time in 18 playoff games since beating Atlanta in the 2013 NLDS.Starting with Game 4 on Tuesday at Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers will need back-to-back wins on both sides of the continent to avoid a fourth straight postseason disappointment.Weve missed the big hit for the last two games, but it happens, said rookie shortstop Corey Seager, who hit an RBI double in the first inning. Weve got to move on and find that big hit.Nobody managed two hits for the Dodgers, who are on the brink of losing their third consecutive division series and their fourth straight playoff series. They havent been to the World Series since 1988, when Gibson hit his iconic homer off Oaklands Dennis Eckersley to propel Los Angeles toward its most recent championship.The Nationals havent won a playoff series since they were the 1981 Montreal Expos, but they might have found an opponent with even more deep-seated postseason problems.Were not afraid of this, first-year Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Its been a long season. Its been a lot of highs and lows. But I know that theres no quit in our guys.The Dodgers never recovered after Washington chased Maeda with four hits and four runs in the third inning. Ruizs homer trimmed the Dodgers deficit to 4-3 in the fifth, but the Nationals bullpen continued its utter mastery over Los Angeles with 4 2/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball.The collapse was psychologically capped when Jansen entered a one-run game and gave up four more, retiring just one of his five batters in the ninth. Jansen yielded Jayson Werths massive homer and got chased when Josh Reddick botched Ryan Zimmermans catchable fly to right, scoring two more runs.We cant lose another one, so weve just got to compete, Jansen said in a subdued clubhouse. We still have a shot to win two, and why not?MAEDA MISSESMaeda was the unexpected stalwart this season in the Dodgers patchwork rotation, which lost Clayton Kershaw to injuries and Zack Greinke to Arizonas $206.5 million largesse.Maeda led Los Angeles with 16 victories, 175 2/3 innings, 179 strikeouts and a career-high 32 starts while the Dodgers gave extra rest to the 28-year-old rookie to get close to his usual weeklong gaps between starts.He was the only starter to remain in the injury-plagued rotation all season, but perhaps the longest and most draining year of his baseball career finally caught up to him: Maeda needed 28 pitches just to escape the first inning on a brilliantly sunny afternoon, fanning Zimmerman with the bases loaded to end it.His real trouble came in the third when Trea Turner led off with a single and scored on Jayson Werths double. Bryce Harper delivered a one-out RBI single, and Rendon brought him home with his first career postseason homer.Roberts pulled Maeda for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the third.I was very regretful that it didnt turn out to be a good outing, Maeda said. I understand it was a very big situation. I went in there as a must-win situation. I wasnt nervous at all, but I just didnt have my day.LEFTY RIGHTSRoberts attempted to counteract the Dodgers struggles against left-handed pitching by inserting Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson and Charlie Culberson, but the trio went 1 for 10 with Pedersons fifth-inning single before Ruizs homer.HOME COOKEDThe Dodgers won 53 home games this season, tied for the second-most in the majors. Theyve lost four of their six home playoff games over the past three division series, however.UP NEXTThe teams left the park not knowing when Game 4 will start on Tuesday, thanks to televisions control of the schedule. Both teams also were initially cagey about their starting pitchers. The Dodgers must choose between Kershaw on short rest or youngster Julio Urias (5-2, 3.39 ERA). The Nationals are likely to use Joe Ross (7-5, 3.43) or Reynaldo Lopez (5-3, 4.91), keeping 20-game winner Max Scherzer in reserve for a Game 5 or the NLCS.The game will start at 5:05 p.m. EDT. The teams had to wait until San Franciscos 13-inning win over the Cubs ended just before 3 a.m. EDT to find out when first pitch would be -- Los Angeles and Washington would have begun at 8:08 p.m. EDT if Chicago had won. Rod Langway Jersey Large . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Capitals Jerseys China . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. http://www.customcapitalsjersey.com/ . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Cheap Custom Capitals Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Wholesale Custom Capitals Shirts . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans slot receiver Kendall Wright will not play in Sundays season opener against the Vikings.Wright hurt his left hamstring a couple of days into camp and had a setback last week, when he attempted to return.Kendall, you think hes got a chance and then there is a setback, coach Mike Mularkey said. I really have no time frame on Kendall. I think thats going to be up to Kendall. I know hes working in here extremely hard. He wants to play, I know he does, its got to be killing him, especially opening day. But for some reason, that thing is not coming around as it should.The Titans have rookie Tajae Sharpe and Rishard Matthews as starters, with Harry Douglas working in the slot with Wright absent.ddddddddddddMularkey said the Titans would also work newcomer Marc Mariani in the slot and have Andre Johnson and Matthews prepared to kick inside if needed.Wright had 408 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season. He missed six games with knee and rib injuries.The Titans picked up Wrights fifth-year option in the spring of 2015, and hes due a base salary of $7.32 million. ' ' '