Nationals 4, Dodgers 0: Anthony Rendon hit a two-run homer in the first inning and that was enough for Washington in the rain-delayed opener of its three-game series against visiting Los Angeles.

Jordan Zimmermann started for the Nationals and Zack Greinke for the Dodgers, but neither returned after a 3-hour, 17-minute rain delay halted play during the fourth inning. Zimmermann allowed five hits in four innings and was followed by scoreless frames from Aaron Barrett (2-0), Jerry Blevins, Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard and Rafael Soriano.

Greinke (5-1) pitched three innings, allowing the two runs on Rendon’s homer and four other hits in absorbing just his second loss in his last 19 starts. Brandon League threw two scoreless innings while Chris Withrow and Brian Wilson had one apiece before Pedro Baez was touched for a two-run homer by Danny Espinosa in the eighth.

Denard Span went 3-for-4 in the leadoff spot for Washington, including a double in the first that preceded Rendon’s fifth home run. Adam LaRoche had two hits to raise his average to .324 for the Nationals.

Carl Crawford had three hits for the Dodgers and Matt Kemp added two, making him 6-for-12 in the last three games. Los Angeles had its best chance to score in the seventh as Kemp led off with a double, but he did not advance past second base.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig did not play after crashing into the wall at the end of Sunday’s walk-off loss to the Miami Marlins. … Nationals LF Nate McLouth left the game in the eighth inning with an apparent hand injury after sliding into the wall following a catch in foul territory down the left-field line. … League has not allowed an earned run in his last 13 innings.