#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Kendrick's walk-off grand slam lifts Nats

The Nationals were busy at the non-waiver trade deadline this season. Even with a double-digit lead in the National League East, general manager Mike Rizzo still needed to make moves to set the team up for the postseason.

Obviously, the bullpen needed reinforcements, so Rizzo acquired Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson immediately after the All-Star break, and then also Brandon Kintzler right at the July 31 deadline.

But while Nationals fans were clamoring for new relief arms, Rizzo made another move that was not as expected in acquiring Howie Kendrick from the Phillies. And it didn't take long for the 12-year veteran to make an impact with his new ballclub.

In 11 games over his first two weeks with Washington, Kendrick slashed .371/.389/.543 with 13 hits, one home run and five RBIs. But he really made his mark in D.C. in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Giants on Aug. 13.

With the game tied 2-2 going to the bottom of the 11th inning, Kendrick stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs. On a 2-2 count, he launched a slider from the Giants' Albert Suárez into the visiting bullpen, sending Nats Park into a frenzy.

You can watch this game in its entirety as part of our "Nationals Classics" series on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. on MASN!

Check out these other "Nationals Classics" this week on MASN:

Thursday, Nov. 9, noon - The Nats and Cubs just completed a classic National League Division Series last month, and these two teams are accustomed to playing classic games against each other. This one comes from all the way back in 2005, when the Cubs sent this July 3 game at Wrigley Field to extra innings in the bottom of the ninth, the two teams traded a pair of runs in the 11th and the Nats won it 5-4 in the 12th.

Friday, Nov. 10, noon - Just a few weeks prior to that classic in Chicago, the Nationals pulled off a comeback on June 22 in Pittsburgh. Down 4-2 at the start of the third inning, the Nats chipped away and eventually took the lead in the eighth for a 5-4 victory.

Monday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. - Let's stick with 2005, shall we? Nats fans always enjoy a win over the Phillies. Even more so when it's a walk-off win. On Sept. 3, Preston Wilson hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 12th for a 5-4 victory at RFK Stadium.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, noon - This week's final classic from 2005 highlights a pitchers' duel between the Nationals' Esteban Loaiza and the Brewers' Chris Capuano on May 18. Loaiza tossed eight shutout innings of six-hit ball, while Capuano lost his shutout opportunity when he was charged with the game's only run, Jeffrey Hammonds' walk-off RBI single to score Brad Wilkerson.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. - What's a week of "Nationals Classics" without a Ryan Zimmerman walk-off? Mr. Walk-off worked his magic for some Fourth of July fireworks in 2006 with a walk-off three-run home run to beat the Marlins 6-4.