Nationals rough up Bud Norris and the Dodgers, 8-1

The first act of Bud Norris’ Dodgers career — a tidy six-inning debut at Dodger Stadium — provided hope for the stability of the team’s rotation in Clayton Kershaw’s absence. His next three outings, including a clunker in Wednesday’s 8-1 loss to the Nationals, reminded of the reality.

Norris cannot approximate Kershaw, an unfair task for any pitcher. But the organization must hope for a better showing than Wednesday, when Norris gave up six runs, three home runs and could not record an out in the sixth inning. In his previous two outings, Norris had given up seven runs in 10 innings.

“I’m just trying to compete, and give everything I’ve got for the team,” Norris said. “That’s really what I want to focus on.”

The Dodgers (53-43) do not have many alternatives, given recent injuries to Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood. The team acquired him from Atlanta as an emergency after Kershaw hurt his back in late June.

“Bud’s been throwing the ball really well for us,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “Today, left some balls up.”

The Nationals took advantage. The Dodgers mounted little offense against Washington starter Gio Gonzalez. Save for an RBI single by recent call-up Charlie Culberson in the second, the bats were quiet.

Norris watched Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper drop jaws with a first-inning swing. Harper demolished a 3-1 fastball, launching a two-run homer into the third deck in right field.

Norris had retired 12 batters in a row whenBen Revere came to the plate in the fifth. In the first 2,727 at-bats of his seven-year career, he had hit five home runs. He would soon hit No. 6, hammering a fastball at the waist.

“Revere’s not known for [hitting home runs],” Norris said. “But he put a good swing on it.”

Already insulted, the injury continued. Jayson Werth took Norris deep in the next at-bat. An inning later, catcher Wilson Ramos pounded an RBI double off the wall. Norris exited, but rookie Trea Turner hit an RBI triple off reliever Louis Coleman, then stole home for Washington’s seventh run.

Hatcher finds injury in miserable season

The Dodgers placed struggling reliever Chris Hatcher on the disabled list because of a strained left oblique.

Hatcher reported his soreness to the training staff after he left the game Tuesday, Roberts said. Hatcher was charged with three runs against the Nationals as his earned-run average rose to 5.53.

Culberson took Hatcher’s roster spot. He started at shortstop Wednesday as Corey Seager recovered from a stomach virus.

Hatcher has been one of the most disappointing players on the roster in 2016. The team intended to use him as the primary setup man for closer Kenley Jansen. Hatcher bumbled through April, earning three losses and an 8.18 ERA.

Hatcher lost Roberts’ trust. He moved into the middle of the bullpen, and then into an even less prominent role. Roberts rarely used him in high-leverage situations.

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes