Anthony Rendon3B | Angels

Rendon earns MLB Award for Best PerformanceNovember 18, 2017 | 09:25 PM

Six cans of beer were waiting in his locker after that historic day at Nationals Park, one for each hit Anthony Rendon collected during a performance for the ages. Writer's Analysis: He had never recalled having a day like that before. Perhaps he had hit three home runs in one game during high school, but never had he drove in that many runs. On April 30, Rendon went 6-for-6 with three home runs and 10 RBIs, pacing the Nationals' offense in a 23-5 victory over the Mets. That record-setting day has earned Rendon the Esurance MLB Award for Best Performance. Rendon edged out J. D. Martinez of the D-backs and Scooter Gennett of the Reds, both of whom hit four home runs in one game this season. MLB Esurance Awards take into account the regular season and postseason, so Rendon's all-around performance gave him the advantage over the other finalists. It's the third consecutive season a member of the Nationals has won the award for Best Performance. Max Scherzer, who was a finalist in the Best Pitcher category this year, won the previous two seasons for his dominant pitching performances. Rendon became one of two players in MLB history to have six hits and drive in 10 runs in a game. The other was Walker Cooper in 1949, although Cooper went 6-for-7. The 10 RBIs set a new single-game franchise record for the Nationals.