Kendrick hits two against his old team, Nats prevail 3-1

Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo loved the value he received in acquiring a veteran hitter like Howie Kendrick. He is a player who can also defend multiple positions and has extensive playoff experience.

Rizzo knew Kendrick was an important insurance policy for his injured starting left fielder Jayson Werth (left foot contusion) when he went after Kendrick. He also knew Kendrick could play in the infield and help offset injuries to shortstops Trea Turner and Stephen Drew.

But when Bryce Harper went down Saturday night with a hyperextended left knee, little did Rizzo know that Kendrick would also be able to demonstrate his ability to hit for power in the next three days. Plus, not having another outfielder, Brian Goodwin, who was not 100 percent healthy (groin) for Tuesday's game added to the importance of Kendrick in their series opener against the Angels.

Kendrick launched a pair of homers in the Nats 3-1 win over his former team. That was all the offense the Nats needed thanks to outstanding work again from starter Gio Gonzalez and three relievers.

The homers by Kendrick were the 100th and 101st of his career. He has now hit three homers in his last two games - his last three hits. The pair of round trippers marked the seventh time in Kendrick's career he has hit more than one homer in a game.

Manager Dusty Baker certainly values the multifaceted Kendrick.

"He's very important. We knew Howie," Baker said. "He's been an everyday player most of his career and he doesn't complain, he stays in the game, he keeps the guys up on what's up, what's happening in the game. Howie's willing to do anything and play almost anywhere and he's hit all over the lineup.

"When (Goodwin) went down I asked him had he batted leadoff today. I knew he had some but he said he bat leadoff a lot with the Angels, so that's why I inserted him in the leadoff spot today."

Since joining the Nats, Kendrick is hitting .386 (17-for-44) with three doubles, four homers, 11 RBIs and seven runs scored.

Kendrick homered off of Angels' starter Tyler Skaggs in the third. He also led off the fifth inning with a home run. Kendrick said he was used to leading off while with the Angels.

"It's funny because playing for (Angels manager) Mike Scioscia I did that a lot in my career," Kendrick said. "I leadoff, I hit second, third, fourth, pretty much everywhere in the lineup when I played with the Angels. I was there a long time and that kind of helped me out going to other teams, the Dodgers, then the Phillies and then here and in Philly I was hitting three, four, two, one, I mean it didn't really matter, but you know I learned how to deal with that.

"I don't change my approach depending on where I hit and when I was younger I used to do that a lot and as I got older I was like I got to continue to keep the same approach."

There was a great exchange in the clubhouse as Kendrick finished getting his shoes on and the media began gathering around his locker. His two sons were talking about their dad's exploits sitting on the leather chairs in front of clubhouse TVs. One of his sons said his dad hit three homers. His other son queried, "three?" The younger son looked back over with a wry smile and said "Tomorrow!" The media roared in laughter.

Kendrick said getting to the 100-homer mark in his career was special because he doesn't consider himself to be that type of power hitter.

"For me it's just something you can say you did, but at the same time, I've never really been a home run guy, more of just a hitter, but I'll take it as it comes, but it was fun," Kendrick said. "It was exciting tonight. Being able to put some runs on the board early and Gio, he went out and did his thing and we got a win tonight and that is what is most important."

Did Kendrick enjoy the homers more because he was able to hit them in beating his former team?

"I know a lot of those guys over there," Kendrick said. "I played with a lot of the guys, they still have their good young core, but anytime you can pick up wins, I don't really care who it is against."

And speaking of Gonzalez, the two homers and a later run that scored on an error, were all he needed. The lefty went six innings, allowing no runs on two hits for his 11th win. Gonzalez appreciates that his club was able to acquire a bat such as Kendrick.

"I mean the fact that we got Howie, that was pretty remarkable, especially to see him on the market like that, that's a very talented man," Gonzalez explained. "He can play. He can do it all. He's got not only strength to the left side but to the right side of the field. ... He plays hard, he plays the game right and it shows every time he goes up to bat. He's just a guy that you want to stop and see what he's going to do because he's going to do something remarkable."

The pair of homers and a grand slam since Sunday night?

Remarkable indeed from Kendrick.