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Washington Nationals’ lineup for 2nd of 4 with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chavez Ravine...

Howie Kendrick sparked last night’s win. Will the Nationals build on the momentum of a big victory over a Dodgers team that was rolling heading into the series...

By Patrick Reddington
Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Dodgers Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images

Washington’s win in last night’s game was just the second in a series opener in 13 series so far in 2019, and it snapped a four-game losing streak for the Nationals, who’d dropped 11 of 14 heading into the four-game set in Los Angeles, California’s Dodger Stadium.

Howie Kendrick started things off for the Nats, with a three-run home run in the top of the first, giving starter Patrick Corbin a 3-0 lead to work with that the lefty didn’t relinquish in what ended up being a scoreless seven-inning start in which he gave up just three hits and four walks.

Kendrick, 35, drove in the Nationals’ fourth run of the game as well, and finished the night 2 for 5, leaving him with a .325/.383/.588 line, three doubles, six homers, nine walks and 12 Ks in 29 games and 94 plate appearances on the season. Kendrick now has hits in 10 of his last 13 games.

“He’s been great,” manager Davey Martinez told reporters after what ended up a 6-0 win in LA, “and like I’ve said, the biggest thing for us is to keep him healthy. But that’s Howie. He’s done this for a long time and has played really well, so he picked us up today, big time.”

Kendrick told MASN’s Alex Chappell that in spite of their struggles, the Nationals just need to relax and play the way they’re capable of playing.

“We just have to get out and play baseball,” the 14-year veteran said. “I think we can’t worry about what has happened or whether we’ve been winning or losing, I think we just have to go out and play good baseball.”

“When you play clean baseball and limit the mistakes,” Martinez added, “we have a chance to do these things.”

“We all want to win and they want to win,” the second-year skipper continued, “... so today was a testament that hey, they’re not going to give up, and like I said, I want them to go out and enjoy the victory tonight and get ready to play tomorrow.”

Will the Nationals build on last night’s win in the second of four in Chavez Ravine?

Kendrick is batting fourth and playing first tonight, and Gerardo Parra is making his first start after signing yesterday, batting fifth and playing left...

HERE’S THE NATS’ LINEUP FOR TONIGHT’S GAME WITH THE DODGERS:

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