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Washington Nationals: 3 storylines to watch as Angels visit Nats Park

By Ricky Keeler

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 04: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his run with Mike Trout #27 and Albert Pujols #5, to trail 3-1 to the Oakland Athletics, during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 4, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 04: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his run with Mike Trout #27 and Albert Pujols #5, to trail 3-1 to the Oakland Athletics, during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 4, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Kendrick making his impact

With all the injuries to the Washington Nationals outfielders, Mike Rizzo went out and acquired Howie Kendrick from the Philadelphia Phillies and Kendrick has been an instant success.

Since coming over to D.C., Kendrick has helped out as one of the left fielders and has been red hot at the plate. It may only be 13 games, but he’s hitting .375 with a pair of home runs and nine RBI’s. One of those home runs was a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning on Sunday night.

Now, these two games won’t be the first time Kendrick has faced the team that drafted him in the tenth round back in 2002. He played in seven games against the Angels dating back to 2015 when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Over his nine-year career with the Angels, he had a batting average of .292 and drove in over 500 runs. Even at age 34, Kendrick still puts together professional at-bats and makes the opposing pitcher work nearly every time he comes to the plate.

Kendrick has become one of the key veterans on the Washington Nationals for his versatility and he is going to get a chance for some big at-bats down the stretch. As Mike Scioscia and the Angels know well, he can hit anywhere in the lineup and still be a factor.

Next, we take a look at one of the surprises for the Angels this season

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