Anthony Rendon’s shot lifts Nationals over Rockies in doubleheader opener

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon skipped the All-Star Game because of an injury, but after the team’s 100th game he’s racing toward the next 62.

“I’m running,” he said. “You see me? So fast. Statcast me.”

Rendon smashed the game-winning homer in a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies Wednesday afternoon at Nationals Park, the first game of a doubleheader after Monday’s thunderstorms rained out the first contest of the series.

Rendon is not just a runner. He’s also leading MLB third basemen in slugging at .610.

Both of the Nationals’ homers came off first pitches from different Rockies pitchers in the first game of the day.

Adam Eaton scorched the first one in the fifth inning before Rendon sealed the game in the seventh off Carlos Estevez (1-1), slashing the ball just over the fence in left-center. The Rockies challenged the play, but the call was confirmed.

“Rendon is a really good player,” said Rockies manager Bud Black. “He took advantage of a ball that was [thrown] in the middle of the plate. They were aggressive on first pitches.”

Erick Fedde was back on the mound for the Nationals. The 26-year-old right-hander pitched four innings and allowed one run against the Rockies.

“Fedde kept us in the ballgame,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said.

Fedde threw 79 pitches and 42 strikes. He allowed one run to Rockies first baseman Yonder Alonso, who scored the first run of the game off Ryan McMahon’s sacrifice fly in the fourth. The Nationals challenged Alonso’s double, but he was confirmed safe.

McMahon earned his second RBI single at the top of the sixth, authorizing Alonso’s second run.

At the bottom of the fourth, pinch-hitter Gerardo Parra stepped onto the plate with bases loaded, marking the end of Fedde’s time on the mound. Parra drew a walk to send Adams home.

“It went pretty well,” Fedde said. “I mean, I wish they could’ve given us more innings but the situation came up where, I don’t swing it too well, so I don’t blame them going with Parra.”

It was Fedde’s eighth major league start this year, after starting the season with Double-A Harrisburg. And as the Nationals look for someone to fill the final spot in the rotation, Fedde’s keeping his eyes on the prize.

“Every time I go out there, I’m looking at it as an audition, but hopefully even if I was to get that fifth spot, I’d need to continue to do that,” Fedde said.

Rockies right-handed pitcher Jon Gray exited the game after a calf injury in his shortest start of the season. Gray pitched four innings and allowed two hits and one earned run.

The Nationals are 27-20 at home this year and hold the best record in the MLB since May 24 at 35-15.

“It’s baseball,” Rendon said. “It’s a long season, you got to take care of your body … We’re going to continue to grind each and every day.”