LOS ANGELES - Chase Utley singled home the tiebreaking run with two outs in the eighth inning after the Dodgers' bullpen faltered in relief of Clayton Kershaw, and Los Angeles avoided elimination with a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday that forced a deciding Game 5 in their NL playoff.
Kenley Jansen retired the side in the ninth a day after giving up four runs in a Game 3 loss, preventing the Nationals from clinching a postseason series for the first time.
Game 5 is Thursday in Washington.
Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer for the Dodgers, who turned to Kershaw on three days' rest to salvage their season.