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Kendrick feels good after strong return from DL

HOUSTON -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before Howie Kendrick returned to the lineup Friday that some players need some time to get back in the swing of things, while others never miss a beat.

Mark down Kendrick for the latter.

The Angels second baseman delivered a pair of singles and scored a run in his first two at-bats of Friday's 9-7 loss after missing 33 games with a hyperextended left knee.

"It went pretty good," Kendrick said. "I just tried to see a lot of pitches and just have good at-bats."

Kendrick said he didn't feel any pressure in returning to his old form, as he ranked second in the Major Leagues among second baseman with 126 hits before his Aug. 5 injury.

He also turned a pair of double plays before Grant Green took over in the field in the eighth, part of manager Mike Scioscia's plan to ease Kendrick back to action.

"I didn't really have many expectations coming back to playing every day," Kendrick said.

Glenn Sattell is a contributor to MLB.com.
Read More: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Howie Kendrick