X-rays negative for Anthony Rendon; 17-game hit streak ends after HBP on elbow

Anthony Rendon took a 95 MPH Jose Ureña fastball off his left elbow in the Washington Nationals’ third baseman’s second at bat of the night tonight, and though he stayed in, trying to shake it off as he ran the bases (scoring on a Matt Adams’ single), the Nats’ 28-year-old infielder left the game between innings.

Unfortunately for Rendon, and fans of streaks, the early exit brought an end to a 17-game hit streak which stretched back to the second game of the season.

Rendon started the night 26 for 65 (.400 AVG) with 10 doubles, six home runs, 18 RBIs, nine walks, and 20 runs scored over the course of the streak.

Between April 2nd-13th, Rendon had an extra-base hit streak as part of his run, recording at least one extra-base hit in a career-high and Nationals’ record 10-straight games.

On the year, the 2011 1st Round pick, who is headed for free agency next winter, unless he and the Nationals work out an extension before the end of the season, has a .371/.451/.771 line with 10 doubles, six homers, nine walks, and 14 Ks in 82 plate appearances.

Washington’s front office has a policy of waiting until after games are completed to make any injury announcements, so there wasn’t any update on the extent of the issue until after the second of three with the Marlins in Miami was completed.

“X-rays were negative, he’s just got a contusion, so we’ll wait overnight and see how he feels tomorrow,” Davey Martinez told reporters when he spoke after what ended up a 9-3 loss.

Asked if thought Rendon might be able to avoid an Injured List stint, the manager said, “I think so, I mean it’s nothing — like I said, his X-rays were negative so he’s in there now getting treatment so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”