Los Angeles, CA -- (Sports Network) - Nomar Garciaparra's two-run single highlighted a three-run sixth inning for the Dodgers, who got another solid performance out of Chad Billingsley in a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Billingsley (10-9) opened this three-game set by surrendering just two runs on five hits and three walks, while notching four strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. Jonathan Broxton got the final four outs for his third save of the season.

Jeff Kent was 2-for-4 while James Loney recorded LA's other RBI to help snap the club's two-game slide.

John Lannan (6-10) threw his 15th quality start of the season but was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits and a pair of walks in his seven innings of work.

"[Lannan] went out there again and gave us a very good effort," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "He continues to go out there and not be bothered by our lack of scoring."

Austin Kearns provided two of the Nationals' five hits while Willie Harris and Ryan Zimmerman both had an RBI in Washington's fourth straight setback.

Lannan allowed just three hits through five innings as Washington led 1-0. But back-to-back singles followed by Russell Martin being hit by a pitch loaded the bases with no outs in the home sixth.

After Kent lined out to short, Garciaparra roped a single to bring in the go- ahead runs, and Loney grounded out to second to bring in Martin for a 3-1 Dodgers lead.

Billingsley retired seven straight before a leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Ryan Langerhans in the eighth. After getting the next two hitters, Billingsley gave up his first hit since the fourth inning, an RBI single to Zimmerman to cut LA's lead in half.

Kearns followed with a single of his own, and Billingsley was pulled for Broxton, who struck out Jesus Flores to end the inning. Broxton set down the Nationals in order in the ninth to seal the win.

"This is my first full year as a starter," Billingsley said. "I've learned a lot from the past two years. It's a matter of me getting ahead of the hitters, that's the main thing. Everything comes from my fastball."

Washington took a 1-0 lead in the third as Lannan bunted a pair of runners into scoring position for Harris, who recorded a sacrifice fly to center to score Paul Lo Duca.

Game Notes

This is the first meeting between the teams in 2008. The Dodgers won five of six games last year...Before the game, the Dodgers activated outfielder Juan Pierre from the 15-day disabled list and placed outfielder Delwyn Young on the 15-day DL. Pierre was 1-for-4 with a run scored...Andruw Jones' double in the fifth inning was the game's only extra-base hit...Game time: 2:16.