Bank of lights go out at Nationals Park _ twice

On three separate occasions, a light bank along the left field line went out, and finally the game suspended after the fifth inning with Washington up by a score of 3-2.

The Dodgers had a 2-1 lead with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning when the lights initially went out. After play resumed, nine minutes later the same bank of lights on the third-base side went out. Escobar dropped to his knees in frustration, and the players walked off the field for the last time.

After a second delay, Roark doubled and then scored on an Escobar home run, before the lights went out for good, causing the suspension of the game – and some unhappy Nats fans that sat around through the delays.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before”, Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann said. The game resumed for less than an inning when play was again suspended for the malfunctioning lights in the middle of the fifth inning.

Justin Turner will leadoff the top of the sixth when the game resumes Saturday.

Dodgers: OF Carl Crawford, who’s on the 60-day DL with a right oblique strain, will play with Triple-A Oklahoma City through Sunday. Both teams are in first place in their division: the Dodgers are 51-39 in the National League West and the Nationals are 48-39 in the National League East. Washington is scheduled to visit Los Angeles August 10-12.

Los Angeles hitting coach Mark McGwire, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and others chilled in the clubhouse.

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (6-6, 2.85 ERA) starts Saturday night. “Then we have some decisions to make”, Mattingly said.

Astros 3, Rangers 2: Jose Altuve and rookie Carlos Correa drove in a run apiece to help Houston take an early lead and snap a six-game skid. Bolsinger is 0-1 with a 3.30 ERA in six road starts this season and has only one road win in his brief big-league career.