WASHINGTON — Matt Kemp scored a phantom run early, then hit a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning — right after Washington rallied with a six-run eighth — and the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers grabbed a 7-6 victory Wednesday for a doubleheader split that prevented the Nationals from sewing up a playoff berth. Kemp was credited with crossing home to give Los Angeles a 6-0 lead in the fourth, even though TV replays showed the inning's last out already had been recorded on third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's head-over-heels, reaching tag of runner Adrian Gonzalez. That extra run loomed large when the hosts — who had won the opener 3-1 thanks largely to Jordan Zimmermann's six innings of one-run baseball — wound up sending 12 batters to the plate while scoring six runs in the eighth. Michael Morse had a homer and a two-run single, and Washington chased Josh Beckett, who had allowed only two hits through seven innings. The announced crowd of 26,931 was getting loud, perhaps anticipating a comeback and playoff-clinching victory, when Kemp drove an 0-2 pitch from Tyler Clippard (2-5) over the wall in center for his 19th homer. Ronald Belisario (7-1) earned the win by getting the last two outs of the eighth inning. Brandon League picked up his third save with a hitless ninth. Zimmermann (11-8) allowed one run and six hits in six innings in the opener. Clippard pitched the ninth for his 32nd save. Dodgers starter Aaron Harang (9-10) lasted just 4 2-3 innings in the first game. Braves 3, Marlins 0: Kris Medlen pitched eight innings of four-hit ball and the Braves won his start for the 21st straight time. Medlen (9-1) lost the first two starts of his career in 2009. He hasn't taken a loss in any of his 26 starts since, with the Braves prevailing in the last 21 of those — making them the first team since the New York Yankees to have such a streak, according to STATS LLC. The Yankees won 22 straight times when Whitey Ford started games from 1950 through 1953, a span interrupted by Ford serving in the Korean War. Chipper Jones, playing his last game against Miami, went 1 for 4, getting hit No. 2,721 to tie Gehrig for 58th on baseball's career list. Rob Brantly doubled for Miami, which was shut out for the 16th time this season. Josh Johnson (8-13) gave up three runs in six innings. Craig Kimbrel picked up his 38th save in 41 chances for Atlanta. Elsewhere it was: Phillies 3, Mets 2; Brewers 3, Pirates 1; Cardinals 5, Astros 0; Reds 6, Cubs 5 (11 innings); Diamondbacks 6, Padres 2; Giants 7, Rockies 1. — Agencies
