Game 118 lineups: Angels at Nats (with roster moves)

One reason the Nationals defeated the Angels in the series opener was their ability to prevent Mike Trout from launching a game-changing hit. He did have a scorching single up the middle in the Angels' best chance to score in the sixth, but Gio Gonzalez did a nice job of working out of the difficult situation and keep them off the board. The Nationals ended up with a 3-1 win.

Howie Kendrick, who crushed two homers for the Nats, knows from experience how good Trout is, and it starts with the slugger staying even-keel every single day.

"You just hope he keeps it in the ballpark," Kendrick said. "Mike is a special player. I have played with him for years and the one thing I've always talked about with him is just the way he goes about his business. All he cares about is winning every day. He goes 0-for-4, same guy. He can punch out four times in a game, same guy. We were locker mates in those years that he was there and I can truly attest to that.

"No matter what, whether he went 0-for-4 or four punchouts for 4-for-4 with three homers, he's the same guy every day and I've come to love that about Mike, and even when my kids come to the locker room he plays around with my kids. Even today, we went out, I'll text him and he gets back to me. Mike is just, for a guy that is a superstar in this game, he is still just one of the guys and that is what I resect about him."

Did Kendrick have any expectations moving from the last-place Phillies to the first-place Nationals?

"I didn't really have any," Kendrick said. "I don't really set any. I just go out and play the game the way I know how and I just try to have fun. Anything I can do to help our team win, I think that's what it is about. At the end of the day, if you go out and do the little things right and execute and everybody will be right where they want to be at the end of the year. I think that is what is about. If you put emphasis on winning and doing the right things, the numbers and all that stuff will take care of itself."

Right-hander Tanner Roark (9-7, 4.74 ERA) gets the call for the Nats today, opposing veteran right-hander Ricky Nolasco (5-12, 5.24). With a win, Roark will reach double-digit victories for the third time in his career and the third time in the last four seasons. His career high in wins was last season's 16-10 campaign.

The Nationals made a series of roster moves this morning, electing the contract of outfielder Ajelandro De Aza from Triple-A Syracuse, placing outfielder Brian Goodwin on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to Aug. 14) with a left groin strain and moving shortstop Trea Turner to the 60-day DL to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 183/Internet 869, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees, feels like 98 degrees, wind 4 mph out to left field

NATIONALS (71-46)
RF Howie Kendrick
SS WIlmer Difo
2B Daniel Murphy
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Adam Lind
3B Anthony Rendon
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Jose Lobaton
RHP Tanner Roark

ANGELS (61-59)

LF Ben Revere
SS Andrelton Simmons
CF Mike Trout
RF Kole Calhoun
1B C.J. Cron
3B Luis Valbuena
2B Kaleb Cowart
C Juan Graterol
RHP Ricky Nolasco