Kendrick homers twice against former team (Nats win 3-1)

Howie Kendrick got a measure of revenge against his former team with a solo homer over the left-center field wall, just out of reach of left fielder Cameron Maybin, helping the Nationals to a 1-0 lead over the Angels in the third. It was his fifth homer of the season and in the same area as his dramatic walk-off grand slam on Sunday night.

It also marked Kendrick's 100th career homer. Wilmer Difo followed with a single. He now has a 10-game hit streak, the longest of his career. Daniel Murphy then singled to put runners on the corners. Tyler Skaggs then did a nice job of bearing down and record two strikeouts and a pop up to end the threat.

Meanwhile, Gio Gonzalez did not allow a base hit through three frames. He walked Mike Trout in the first inning with one out but then was able to induce a 5-4-3 double play off the bat of Albert Pujols to end the opportunity.

After three innings, the Nats lead the Angels, 1-0.

Update: Gonzalez has not allowed ... well, you know ... in five innings. He has struck out three batters and walked two on 67 pitches.

Kendrick crushed another home run in the fifth. It was the first time in his career he has hit a homer on a 3-0 count.

The Nats lead 2-0.

Update II: The Nats add a run in the sixth. Anthony Rendon singled and took second on a wild pitch. Rendon scored when a Matt Wieters grounder turned into a fielding error by first baseman Albert Pujols. The Nats lead 3-0 after six innings.

Gonzalez finished with six innings, allowing no runs on two hits with three walks (on intentional) and four strikeouts. He fired 91 pitches, 49 for strikes. Gonzalez's home ERA is now an amazing 1.79.

Update III: The Angels finally broke through in the eighth with a solo homer by Cliff Pennington. The Nats led 3-1.

In the ninth, Sean Doolittle arrived. Pujols grounded out to shortstop. Jefry Marte struck out. Andrelton Simmons grounded out to third to end the game. Doolittle now has 12 saves, 9 with the Nats.

Nats beat the Angels 3-1.