The result from this past week is why you should never give up on the Dodgers. One week ago they were eight games back of the Diamondbacks. Now they are only five games behind following a weekend sweep of the Nationals. On top of that, Arizona is slumping badly. They are 1-10 over the past 11 games. Heck, if not for the poor showing against the Reds and Marlins -- both of whom are not considered contenders this season -- we'd be within spitting distance of first place.

Clearly, the Dodgers are far from done. Per Ben Standig at MLB.com:

"They've been busting their tails, and it just hasn't shown fruits, but now it's paying off," manager Dave Roberts said. "It's a byproduct of those at-bats, guys sticking together. It was a big series. It was good for the guys to win three here."

Photo above via Amanda Bowen/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 the Dodgers scored a Major League record 15 runs in the the first inning to handily defeat the Reds at Ebbets Field, 19-1. At one point in the first inning 19 consecutive Dodgers' reached base. In 2000 MLB has its very first six grand slam day -- Shawn Green & Adrian Beltre (Dodgers); Garret Anderson (Angels), J.T. Snow (Giants), Brian Hunter (Phillies) and Jason Giambi (A's).
• Happy Birthday, Sandy McDougal, Charlie Loudenslager, Mace Brown, Elmer Sexauer, Hank Webb & Tom Martin!
• Via Clint Evans at Dodgers Bluepen; "Justin Turner Plays Hero; Makes The Day of Young Dodgers Fan."
• BBCARDZ at Stadium Fantasium shares pics of the third Dodgers' 60th Anniversary Collectors Card set featuring the 80's.
• Just a bit of how Baseball contributed to the national anthem being a part of our sporting culture. Via Caroline Bologna at HuffPost; "The History Of The National Anthem In Sports."
• Via Craig Shultz at the Pasadena Star News; "Bullied Riverside man will throw out ceremonial first pitch at May 29 Dodgers game." Some people are just a-holes.

Michael Cadena, a 27-year-old Riverside man with special needs, has seen an outpouring of support since he was pushed and robbed of his Dodgers hat last month at a Riverside Target store.

After his mother, Sylvia, posted about the incident on Facebook, hoping the thief would be caught, people have donated hats, tickets and memorabilia to Cadena.

• Today is $1 Dodger Dog Night at Dodger Stadium. In honor of this check out Dodger Historian Mark Langill's story at Dodger Insider; "A brief history of the Dodger Dog."
• Check this out if you find yourserlf in Oklahoma City. Per Lisa Johnson at Beyond the Bricks; "Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Opens at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark."
• Giovanni Balistreri at When Topps Has Balls shares a fantastic fantasy Baseball card of Steve Garvey, here.