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Washington Nationals’ lineup for 2nd of 3 with the Atlanta Braves in D.C. + Davey Martinez on Howie Kendrick...

Washington and Atlanta go at it again at 7:05 PM EDT tonight in the nation’s capital. Here’s how the Nationals are lining up for their matchup with the Braves...

By Patrick Reddington
MLB: Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Howie Kendrick drove in the only runs Max Scherzer would need last night with a two-out, two-run double off Julio Teheran in the first inning of the series opener with the Atlanta Braves in Washington, D.C. Scherzer made the lead hold up with a complete game shutout, but Kendrick wasn’t around at the end, having left the game in the top of the eighth.

“His right leg tightened up on him,” Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez told reporters after the 2-0 win in the nation’s capital. “That’s all he told me, there are no specifics. He just said, ‘My right leg is tightening up,’ so precautionary, we already had the lead. [Wilmer] Difo can play second base as good as anybody, so we just put him in there.”

Kendrick’s 1 for 3 night left him 12 for 35 on the year (.343/.378/.486) with five doubles in nine games, after he posted a .293/.343/.494 line with eight doubles and seven homers over 52 games following the trade that brought him over from the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2017.

Kendrick re-signed with the Nationals this winter after GM Mike Rizzo talked at the Winter Meetings about the contributions the veteran infielder/outfielder made after the trade.

“Love Howie Kendrick,“ Rizzo said. “Love what he brought us in the clubhouse, with the young players, and he’s got a good skill set.”

“He’s a guy that did nothing but great things for us between the lines and in the clubhouse.”

Difo, 26, has three hits (two doubles), four walks and six Ks in 19 plate appearances early this season.

Difo’s getting the start at second base tonight, with Kendrick resting the leg, and Martinez has Anthony Rendon hitting cleanup with Ryan Zimmerman fifth tonight. Is that a reaction to Zim’s early-season struggles?

UPDATED (5:45 PM) - Adam Eaton was originally penciled in atop the lineup for tonight’s game, but he was scratched in the last half hour with what the Nationals are saying is a “... left ankle bone bruise.” More info when it’s available...

HERE’S THE NEW NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR THE 2ND OF 3 WITH ATL IN D.C.:

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