It was not easy to earn, but the Los Angeles Dodgers logged their third win in a row by beating the Washington Nationals on Saturday, 6-5 at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.

After a rocky conclusion to August that carried into the opening days of September, the back-to-back World Series Champions are beginning to find some stability. Let’s review how they got it done on Saturday:

The Dodgers got things going in the first inning, and it all started with Freddie Freeman getting hit by a pitch.

With Freeman on first, Mookie Betts stepped up and knocked a single to center field, advancing his teammate to second. Next, Kyle Tucker hit a grounder that forced Betts out at second while Tucker and Freeman reached the corners.

With two outs, Teoscar Hernandez delivered a two-out, RBI single to left field that scored Freeman. Hunter Feduccia added a single of his own that scored Tucker, and Los Angeles enjoyed a 2-0 lead.

But it did not last.

Despite having a lead at home, the Dodgers dealt with Washington’s offense almost immediately.

In the top of the second inning, CJ Abrams hit a leadoff single off Tyler Glasnow that was followed by his 28th stolen base of the season. He advanced to third when Brady House flew out to center field, and he scored on another sacrifice fly to center field by Jose Tena to make it a 2-1 game.

After a scoreless third for both clubs, the Nationals took the lead in the fourth when Keibert Ruiz delivered an RBI single, and Dylan Crews hit an RBI double. At that point, it was 3-2, and the Dodgers had to play a bit of catch-up.

The fifth and sixth innings were also scoreless until Washington struck again in the top of the seventh. Manager Dave Roberts was compelled to go to his bullpen after Glasnow gave up a leadoff double to Crews. 

Glasnow’s evening was not without its bumps in the road, as he allowed six hits, four earned runs and three walks, but he also struck out eight batters. In his place, Alex Vesia took the mound, and he surrendered an RBI double to Daylen Lile before eventually getting out of the inning.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh and facing a 4-2 deficit, the Dodgers were running out of time to make something happen.

Beyond the first inning, they were coming up empty, and the frame began with an out before Alex Freeland walked. After Alex Call flew out to center field, it seemed as if Los Angeles would fail to score again.

Then, Enrique Hernandez hit a single, and Tommy Edman activated his clutch gene with a three-run home run to right-center field to give the Dodgers the lead. Los Angeles tacked on another run in the eighth to make it a 6-4 game, but Washington was not going away just yet.

In the top of the ninth, Tanner Scott came in to close the game for the Dodgers, and he struck out the first two batters he faced before giving up two singles that got another run across for the Nationals. 

Trouble was bearing down on him when he allowed a double that put runners on second and third, but he escaped the inning and secured the win after striking out CJ Abrams.

This was a gritty victory for the Dodgers, and they have an opportunity to complete the sweep on Sunday at 7:10 p.m. PT.