Editorials

Dodgers News: Howie Kendrick Doesn’t Take Home Runs For Granted

Norm Hall-Getty Images
Norm Hall-Getty Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers escaped Tuesday with a 6-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in extra innings behind the bats of Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal, who each delivered RBIs in the 10th inning.

Kendrick came up huge for the Dodgers throughout the night, going 4-for-5 with one home run, a double, two singles and two RBIs. Kendrick’s two RBIs proved to be huge, as a single in an eight-pitch at-bat tied the game in the seventh inning and his solo home run in the 10th gave the Dodgers a lead.



Not known as a home-run hitter, Kendrick was asked about his solo shot and offered a humorous response, via Zach Helfand of LA Times:

I don’t ever know when I hit them,” Kendrick stated. “That’s why I run hard.”

Kendrick has carried over his professional attitude and reputation from his days with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. That’s been key to Kendrick’s ability to essentially fill any role in the Dodgers’ lineup.

Throughout the season he’s been placed at multiple spots in the order and made no qualms about it. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has stated recently he feels Kendrick is best suited in the 2-hole. Kendrick has started and hit second in the lineup over the last five games.

In that stretch he’s batting. 571/.625/.762 (12-for-21) with one home run, four RBIs and three walks. Kendrick’s success that high in the order has provided more versatility for Mattingly to fill out the rest of his lineup. Kendrick is again batting second in Wednesday’s game, the finale of the Dodgers’ 10-game road trip.

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Staff Writer

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