Although Dee Gordon of the Miami Marlins and Howie Kendrick of the Los Angeles Dodgers were not traded for each other, trades by the Dodgers are how they ended up with their respective teams. Howie Kendrick replaced Dee Gordon at second base for the Dodgers. Dee Gordon is leading the Major Leagues in hitting, batting over .350. Howie Kendrick has provided more power and a veteran presence that the Dodgers needed.
They both hit homeruns yesterday and both ended up being game winners. Both homeruns were very different. Dee Gordon hit a line drive into the right centerfield gap against the San Francisco Giants and then Gordon's speed took over. He rounded the bases in a little over 14 seconds for an inside-the-park, three-run homer that gave the marlins a 3-1 lead. Gordon's speed is the most impressive part of his game and last year for the Dodgers, he became a baseball player. This year with the Marlins he managed to turn it up another couple of notches.
Howie Kendrick's homerun came in the top of the tenth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks and also ended up being the game winner in a 6-4 Dodgers win. Kendrick's homerun was a line drive over the right field fence and rather than race around the bases, he got to break into a homerun trot. Coming through in the clutch might be the most impressive part of Kendrick's game.
The Dodgers had to give up a player in Gordon that provided speed and got a player in return that provided veteran leadership and clutch hitting. Last night, the homeruns showcased both of the player's skills and brought both of their teams a win.
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