Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins: GameThread 50 Of 162.

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Washington Nationals Swept Out Of Marlins Park, Lose 5-3 To Miami Marlins.

' #LomboLobby pt.1: Washington Nationals' leadoff man Steve Lombardozzi lined to short right-center, just over Miami Marlins' second baseman Omar Infante's outstretched glove for a leadoff single to start tonight's game. One out later Lombo took second on a Ryan Zimmerman single through short. Adam LaRoche, who's 0 for 7 so far this series, and 3 for 18 with eight K's in his career against Fish right-hander Josh Johnson, K'd for the ninth time in 19 at bats and was 0 for 8 in the series after swinging over an 86 mph 2-2 slider for out no.2. Johnson pounded Ian Desmond away for the first seven pitches of the Nats' shortstop's two-out at bat, then threw a 93 mph heater up and in on pitch no.8 to get a swinging K and out no.3 of a 20-pitch, 16-strike first. Omar Infante "doubled" off Nationals' starter Chien-Ming Wang with one down in the Marlins' first, flying to short right where Roger Bernadina dove and missed, and Infante then took third on a groundout by Hanley Ramirez before scoring on a two-out single by Giancarlo Stanton that put Miami up 1-0 in the finale of the three-game set with the visiting Nats...

' 410ft Triple: Nats' second baseman Danny Espinosa tripled to center on a 92 mph 1-1 four-seamer from Josh Johnson, collecting his first three-base hit of 2012 on a 410 ft blast to center that was nowhere near a home run in spacious Marlins Park. Espinosa settled for his first triple of the season and scored to tie it at 1-1 in the next AB when Roger Bernadina lined out to center to bring the runner in. 1-1 after one and a half. Josh Johnson gives up a run in a 13-pitch inning. Chien-Ming Wang gave up a leadoff single by Bryan Petersen and a walk to John Buck to start the Marlins' second as he struggled to locate his sinker. Wang found it in the next at bat against Chris Coghlan, throwing a 91mph 2-2 sinker the Marlins' outfielder, but a poor decision on a sac bunt by Josh Johnson resulted in the bases being loaded with one out...

' [CHOMP!]: Jhonathan Solano jumped on a bunt by the opposing pitcher, Josh Johnson, as the Marlins tried to give up an out and advance both runners, but the rookie backstop threw to third trying to cut the lead runner down only to have the throw arrive in Ryan Zimmerman's glove a step too late. Bases loaded, and Jose Reyes lined to right in the next AB... but Roger Bernadina made the catch in right and he made it while coming in and fired a strike to home where Solano made the catch, blocked the plate and applied the tag on a sliding Bryan Petersen for an inning-ending 9-2 DP. 13 pitch inning for Wang.

' #LomboLobby: Steve Lombardozzi was 2 for 2 after singling to right-center again to start the Nationals' third. Two outs later he was thrown out trying to steal second with Adam LaRoche at the plate as the Marlins' starter completed a 13-pitch third. WIth one out in the Marlins' half of the inning, Hanley Ramirez singled to center on a hanging curve from Chien-Ming Wang, but he too got thrown out trying to steal second right before Giancarlo Stanton K'd swinging to end the inning. 17 pitches, 2 K's for Wang in the 3rd and he's up to 45 pitches total after three.

' Danny Hears You: Adam LaRoche ended his 0-for-8 series with a double to right to start the top of the fourth, then took third on a groundout by Ian Desmond. Danny Espinosa, who tripled and scored for the Nationals' first run, took two 1-2 pitches from Josh Johnson then drove in the second Nats' second run with a single to center on a full-count change to make it a 2-1 game before scoring himself on an extra base hit to center and off the "STANLEY" tools sign by Roger Bernadina. The Shark was thrown out trying to take third on the play, but the Nationals were up 3-1 after the top of the fourth and Johnson was up to 66 pitches after the 20-pitch frame.

' Why, Wang, Why?: Given a two-run lead to work with, Chien-Ming Wang walked the first batter of the Marlins' fourth, Logan Morrison, then walked the second batter too, putting both Morrison and Bryan Petersen on with no one out while throwing 8 of 9 pitches out of the zone. John Buck's groundout to first moved both runners into scoring position, and a sac fly to left from Chris Coghlan was deep enough for Morrison to score and for Petersen to take third. 3-2 game, and a one-out single by Josh Johnson brings Petersen in to tie it. The opposing pitcher takes a 1-0 sinker from Wang to center and it's tied at 3-3 after four. The 27-pitch inning had Wang up to 72 pitches after four innings in Miami.

' Hanley!! [spits!]': Josh Johnson retired the Nationals in order on 19 pitches in the 5th, then Marlins' 3B Hanley Ramirez doubled to left on an 0-1 sinker from Wang. The Nats' starter hit Giancarlo Stanton with his 79th pitch of the night and was done after 4.0 IP with two runners on and no one out. Ross Detwiler struck Logan Morrison out with a 90 mph 2-2 sinker, but walked Bryan Petersen to load the bases in the next at bat. Ryan Zimmerman jumped on a sharp grounder toward short by John Buck, but a run was scoring no matter what, and Zim's throw to second pulled Espinosa off the bag. 4-3 Marlins. Bases still loaded, still 1 out. A grounder to Desmond and a 6-3 DP end the inning, but not until after the Marlins took the lead.

' 4-3 Game Feels Like 8-3: Ian Desmond took a four-pitch, two-out walk in the top of the sixth, but Danny Espinosa went down swinging in a three-pitch at bat that ended a 12-pitch inning for the Marlins' Josh Johnson. The right-hander was up to 97 pitches on the night and up 4-3 after five and a half... and out of the game after Donnie Murphy hit for him in the sixth. Detwiler retired the pinch hitter, but game up a one-out single by Jose Reyes, who was 2 for 4 tonight after the one-out hit. Detwiler picked Reyes off though and popped Omar Infante up to center to end the Marlins' half of the frame.

' 12 HR May: After Marlins' right-hander Edward Mujica retired the Nationals in order in a 9-pitch, 1-2-3 7th, Hanley Ramirez singled to center off Nats' right-hander Ryan Perry for Ramirez's third hit in four at bats tonight. Ramirez was 0 for 2 tonight in SB attempts, however, after Nats' catcher Jhonatan Solano threw him out for the second time. Luckily for Ryan Perry, because he gave up Giancarlo Stanton's 12th HR of the month of May in the next at bat. 5-3 Marlins on Stanton's 13th. Edward Mujica retired the Nationals in order in the top of the eighth, setting six-straight down after taking over for Josh Johnson. Tom Gorzelanny walked Jhonatan Solano's brother Donovan Solano with two out in the Marlins' eighth, keeping it a two-run game after eight.

' Adam LaRoche doubled for the 14th time this season on a line drive to right-center on a 95 mph 1-2 fastball from Fish closer Heath Bell. Ian Desmond hit a weak grounder to second to move LaRoche to third. Danny Espinosa K'd swinging for out no.2. Roger Bernadina worked the count full with two down, and took a two-out walk to bring the winning run to the plate in the form of Rick Ankiel who K'd looking at a fastball outside as the Marlins completed the sweep. 5-3 final. Nationals finish nine-game road trip 5-4. Head home for six with Atlanta and New York.

' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...

' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: (Doghouse would have put a funny title here.):

Nationals now 29-21.

Washington Nationals' Michael Morse's Rehab Continues, RF In His Future.

Michael Morse was 0 for 1 with a walk and a K when rain delayed the completion of Tuesday night's game between the Class-A Carolina League's Potomac Nationals and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (TEX). The two teams picked things up tonight as part of a doubleheader at the P-Nats' home, Pfitzner Stadium. Morse ended up 1 for 3 with an RBI, driving in the Nats' high-A affiliate's fifth run in a 5-3 win in game one. In game two tonight, the 30-year-old Nats' slugger was 2 for 3 w/ a double, leaving Morse 3 for 6 in his first two rehab starts as he works his way back from a lat injury that's kept him on the sidelines through the first two months of the season. Earlier this afternoon, an excited Nationals' manager Davey Johnson told reporters in Miami that he thought Morse was close to returning to the nation's capital's Nats' lineup.

As the Washington Times' Amanda Comak reported, the Nats' skipper said there was an "outside possibility" of the right-handed middle-of-the-order bat returning this weekend when Washington welcomes the Atlanta Braves to Nationals Park. And if he's ready, Johnson told the Times' Ms. Comak, he'd have no problem working Morse right back into the lineup:

"'I'd throw him right out there,' Johnson said. 'If he's able to go, I'll throw him in right away. He might connect and hit one hard. It'd be a welcome addition.'"

Even though he didn't play the field in either of tonight's games, Morse said he's gotten a good deal of throwing in beforehand. "Before the game I got to throw to the bases. I did my throwing program. I worked out earlier today at Nationals Park and everything. I've been doing, I call it two-a-days, every day. I played a doubleheader game today and I felt good. I got to run the bases a little bit and I feel like I'm right where I need to be."

Asked how optimistic he was that he'd be back in Nats Park playing for real in the near future, the outfielder said it wasn't his decision. "It's not up to me at this point. It's up to Davey [Johnson] and the trainers and everybody else, but on my end I feel 100% and I'm feeling pretty good at the plate."

Morse told reporters, after the P-Nats lost the second game of the doubleheader, that he thought he would play right field tomorrow. "I think I'm playing five innings in right field," Morse said, "I think that's what's on the schedule." Both Davey Johnson, in his pregame press conference in Miami, and D.C. GM Mike Rizzo on The Mike Rizzo Show on 106.7 the FAN, suggested on Wednesday that Morse would likely end up back in right when he returns to the majors with Steve Lombardozzi in left and Bryce Harper in center. Roger Bernadina played right for the Nats tonight. Will the Nationals have a Lombo, Harper, Morse outfield when they start the three-game set with Atlanta Friday night?

' You can listen to the full interview with Morse below courtesy of the Potomac Nationals on Twitter (@PNats42):

Michael Morse's postgame comments from tonight's game.soundcloud.com/potomacnationa'

' Potomac Nationals (@PNats42) May 31, 2012

Washington Nationals' Michael Morse 0 for 1 With A BB, K In First Rehab Start With Potomac Nationals.

The rain that brought about an end to Washington Nationals' outfielder Michael Morse's first rehab start with High-A Potomac was audible on the recording of the post game press conference the Nats' minor league affiliate released tonight. Morse, who's been out all season recovering from a lat injury sustained this Spring, was the P-Nats' DH tonight. The 30-year-old slugger, who signed a 2-year/$10.5M dollar extension after a breakout year in 2011, walked in his first live AB since he was shut down following a few minor league games earlier this season. The second time up in the Potomac third, Morse K'd swinging at a 2-2 pitch (slider) from 21-year-old right-hander Roman Mendez, a Texas Rangers' prospect throwing for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. When rain ended the game in the 5th, the P-Nats led the Pelicans 3-0. They'll reportedly finish this game tomorrow night as part of a doubleheader.

' Listen to Michael Morse's Post Game Press Conference Below via Potomac's Official Twitter account (@PNats42):

Michael Morse's postgame press conference after tonight's game.soundcloud.com/potomacnationa'

' Potomac Nationals (@PNats42) May 30, 2012

Morse told reporters after the game that he was immediately comfortable at the plate even though he hadn't faced live pitching for some time while he rehabbed. Asked if he was nervous about the injury when he first stepped up, the Nats' outfielder said, "Absolutely not," before adding that the lat injury, "... has never bothered me swinging." Though he didn't play the field, Morse reminded reporters that he's been on a throwing program for some time now, and as he put it, "I'm throwing more now than I've ever thrown in my life. I throw a hundred throws a day and the ball is coming out nice and easy, and it feels great. I don't feel any pain or nothing."

As for the upcoming days, Morse said he would probably play in each of tomorrow's games, and hoped to play the field though he noted it wasn't his decision. The hard-hitting outfielder said he surprised himself with how good he felt at the plate tonight. "For not really seeing a lot of pitches in three months or something," Morse explained, "I felt really good. I felt like, almost normal."

"I know my swing, and I know what I have to do," Morse said in discussing getting back to live action, "Just trying to be easy and just see the ball, hit the ball. So, I felt good. I actually felt great." Asked when he hoped to get back to the majors with the Nationals, the veteran of seven MLB seasons, who put up a .303/.360/.550 line with 36 doubles and 31 HR's last year, said simply, "ASAP," and laughed. Nats' skipper Davey Johnson told reporters early this afternoon that the team hoped to have Morse back when the Nationals return to D.C. this weekend:

Davey is optimistic that Michael Morse will join the team on the homestand if nothing goes awry. Even if he just pinch hits.

' Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 29, 2012

Washington Nationals Drop Second Straight To Miami Marlins, 3-1 Fish in Marlins Park.

' Anibal Is Unbeatable: It's unavoidable. You can't ignore Miami Marlins' starter Anibal Sanchez's numbers against the Washington Nationals. The 28-year-old right-hander is (7-0) against the Marlins' divisional rivals from D.C., with 85 hits, 32 runs (26 ER), seven HR's and 46 walks (3.71 BB/9) allowed in 18 games, 18 starts and 111.2 IP in which he's recorded 95 K's (7.66 K/9) and posted a 2.10 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and .209 BAA. The Nats almost figured out a way to beat Sanchez when they faced him in the nation's capital back on April 12th, outlast him. Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth hit solo home runs off the Marlins' right-hander and the Nationals and right-hander Stephen Strasburg took a 2-0 lead into the 9th, but Brad Lidge blew the save when he walked Hanley Ramirez to start the inning and gave up two-run home to Logan Morrison in the next at bat. The Nats rallied to win on a Desmond sac fly in extra innings, but they didn't beat Sanchez, who received a no-decision, as did Strasburg, who had been in line for the win.

Tonight it was Nationals' right-hander Edwin Jackson facing the Fish, and he retired the first two batters in order (after a 12-pitch, 1-2-3 first by Sanchez) before giving up a two-out double to left by Hanley Ramirez. Jackson walked Nat-killer Giancarlo Stanton in front of Logan Morrison, who lined to short right where Nats' second baseman Steve Lombardozzi made a leaping (run-saving) grab to end the first. 13-pitch, six-strike inning for E-Jax. Anibal Sanchez needed 18 pitches to get through the second with Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond working long at bats, but after Rick Ankiel grounded out to second the Marlins' starter had set the first six down...

' Not Perfect: E-Jax threw a quick, 14-pitch, 1-2-3 second, retiring the Marlins in order. Nationals' catcher Carlos Maldonado walked with one out in the third, giving the Nats' their first runner against Anibal Sanchez, but the Fish pitcher popped up Edwin Jackson and got a groundout to second from Lombardozzi for his third scoreless and hitless frame. Sanchez throws 22 pitches, however, and was up to 52 total after three. E-Jax started the third at 27. He finished the inning ten pitches and three quick outs later, having set down seven-straight after the two-out walk to Giancarlo Stanton in the 1st. Bryce Harper grounded out to Jose Reyes' backhand for the first out of the fourth, Ryan Zimmerman grounded back to the mound for out no.2 and Adam LaRoche rolled out no.3 to Omar Infante at second to end the fourth scoreless for Sanchez. 12 of 13 batters set down, no hits allowed through four innings in Marlins Park.

**' No No-No: Hanley Ramirez worked a walk out of Edwin Jackson in the first at bat of the Marlins' fourth, but Giancarlo Stanton and Logan Morrison flew out to center and left, respectively, for the first two outs of the inning. Ramirez stole second with two down, sliding in safely ahead of a throw from Carlos Maldonado, but a fly to left from Bryan Petersen stranded Ramirez there and ended E-Jax' fourth scoreless. The 18-pitch frame had the Nats' starter at 55 pitches after four. Ian Desmond broke up Anibal Sanchez's no-hit bid with a leadoff single to left in the first at bat of the fifth, lining a first-pitch change out to Chris Coghlan. Sanchez got Rick Ankiel swinging in the next at bat, but not until after Ian Desmond had stolen second and taken third on a throwing error by Fish catcher John Buck. With Corey Brown at the plate, Nats' manager Davey Johnson called for the squeeze and the 26-year-old Brown collected his first MLB RBI when he sent a perfect bunt toward first with Desmond charging home. 1-0 Nats after four and a half. Congrats, Corey.

' 9-Game Hit Streak: Edwin Jackson retired the 7-8-9 hitters in the Marlins' order on eight pitches in the bottom of the fifth, leaving the right-hander at 63 pitches total after five and 13 of 14 set down after the two-out walk to Giancarlo Stanton in the first. Nats' right fielder Bryce Harper tripled to center with two down in the top of the sixth, collecting his fourth triple of the year when Marlins' outfielder Bryan Petersen ran full-steam into the center field wall and dropped the ball. After the triple in his third at bat of the night, Harper was 14 for 34 with two triples, two home runs, five RBI's, 10 runs, five walks, three K's and one stolen base in his last nine game. He was stranded at third, however, when Anibal Sanchez got Ryan Zimmerman to ground weakly to short to end the Nats' sixth. Still 1-0 Nationals.

' Arm E?: Marlins' second baseman Omar Infante took a 93 mph first-pitch fastball to left and off the outfield wall for a one-out double and (a HR in most ballparks) in the bottom of the sixth, but he almost got doubled up at second on a Hanley Ramirez line drive to center that Rick Ankiel caught with Infante halfway to third. Ankiel made an off-balance throw in though and it got away from the Nationals' infielders and by the pitcher backing up, allowing Infante to take third when he should have been out. And the E:6 really hurt when the Nationals decided to pitch to Giancarlo Stanton and the Marlins' slugger hit a two-out double to left to bring the runner in and tie it at 1-1 after six in Marlins Park. The 18-pitch inning had E-Jax up to 81 on the night.

' E:1: Ian Desmond singled with one down in the seventh, but the Marlins turned a slick 4-6-3 on a Rick Ankiel grounder to second to end a nine-pitch inning by Anibal Sanchez that had the Fish hurler at 101 pitches and done after 7.0 IP. Edwin Jackson gave up a one-out single to Marlins' outfielder Chris Coghlan, then threw away a pick attempt that allowed the runner to take third. In spite of a nice throw in from Nats' LF Corey Brown, Greg Dobbs' sac fly to left was deep enough to score the runner from third and give Miami a 2-1 lead. Jose Reyes singled in the next at bat to end E-Jax' night after 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K's, 94 pitches, 55 strikes, 5/9 GO/FO and Craig Stammen came on to get the final out of the inning, but the Marlins led 2-1 after seven.

' Rally? No: Nats' pinch hitter Xavier Nady singled off Marlins' lefty Randy Choate to start the eighth, lining a first-pitch sinker to right for the Nationals' fourth hit of the game. Carlos Maldonado got a sac bunt down to move Nady to second, and then the manager's matched wits with Davey Johnson replacing the left-handed Roger Bernadina with Danny Espinosa to force the Marlins' skipper, Ozzie Guillen to go to the pen for sidewinding right-hander Steve Cisek, who walked Espinosa on four pitches, 2 on, 1 out, and walked Steve Lombardozzi to load the bases for Bryce Harper. Harper K'd swinging on three pitches though, chasing an 0-2 heater up high after fouling off two sinking fastballs and Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a force at third to end the threat. 2-1 Marlins after seven and a half in Miami.

' Hanley! [spits!]': After the Nationals' threatened, but failed to score in the top of the eighth, Marlins' 3B Hanley Ramirez hit a solo HR to left on the first pitch of the home-half of the inning, taking Craig Stammen deep for a 3-1 Fish lead. Giancarlo Stanton singled in the next at bat and Stammen was done. Sean Burnett came on to end the inning, but the Nationals trailed by two after eight and would have to try to win it against Marlins' closer Heath Bell. Adam LaRoche K'd looking at a 93 mph 2-2 heater. Ian Desmond chased a 96 mph 0-2 fastball outside. And debuting rookie Jhonathan Solano got down 0-2 and... lined to right for a two-out double! Solano doubles in his first MLB at bat. Xavier Nady lined out to right in the next AB, however, and the Marlins climbed to within a game and a half of the first place Nats.

' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...

' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: ( - Doghouse's biting wit and cutting sarcasm):

Nationals now 29-20.

Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins: GameThread 49 Of 162.

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Doghouse

Dave at District Sports Page

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jeff550

SaratogaCountySports

Washington Nationals Option Tyler Moore To Triple-A; Jhonatan Solano Will Be Next New Catcher.

They call him Onion. Or at least Davey Johnson does. Davey is the only one I've heard say it, but it's listed as his nickname on Baseball-Reference.com too. The Washington Nationals announced after this afternoon's loss that they'd optioned 25-year-old outfielder Tyler Moore to Triple-A to make room (according to separate reports and manager Davey Johnson) for 26-year-old catcher Jhonatan Solano (aka Onion). Moore returns to everyday play after 12 games and 19 plate appearances with the Nationals in which he had three hits and seven K's. As Davey Johnson explained it, the move will let the outfielder who hit 31 home runs in each of the last two seasons and had seven in 88 appearances before he was called up, return to regular action.

"I really felt bad from the get-go," Johnson told reporters after the game, "Having [Moore] in a situation where he's playing out of position and he's a regular player, he's not the kind of guy that can sit and then come in and play, but I thought he handled himself well. [In] a new position he played well out there and he swung the bat okay, but that's not the role you want for a young player. A young talented prospect, sitting around and playing against a left-hander occasionally, so, he's better off going and playing. We think highly of him and he's got a great future here."

"Because of the situation with our catching, with [Jesus Flores] tentative on whether he can go or not," the Nationals brought Solano up the Nationals' manager explained. Solano, a veteran of seven seasons in the Nats' system, just came off the DL recently. He'll be making his MLB debut if/when he first sees action. He'll also be the fifth catcher the Nationals have turned to this season with Wilson Ramos (torn ACL), Sandy Leon (high ankle sprain) and now Jesus Flores (hamstring) suffering injuries. The move was precautionary, the Nats' 69-year-old manager explained, since they don't want to rush Flores back but have no real backup catcher available.

"[Flores] was warming up the pitcher between innings," on Monday when the Nats and Marlins played Davey Johnson explained, "But that's not like running to first base and I would hate for him to pull a hamstring or something by me rushing him back in the lineup, so just had to make that move, didn't see any other way to safeguard. Hopefully I can probably give [Flores] more than just the one day to make sure he's over that injury, because if you've pulled it a little bit and then you injure it, you're out a long time."

Jhonatan Solano had a .275/.325/.388 line with 14 doubles and five home runs at Triple-A Syracuse in 2010. Through 13 games and 57 plate appearances this year, Solano has a .250/.298/.288 line with two doubles. Solano will work with Carlos Maldonado until Flores is 100%.

Best Pitcher HR: Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg vs Jordan Zimmermann.

They were both solo shots. Stephen Strasburg's on a 75 mph 0-2 curve from Baltimore Orioles' left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, Jordan Zimmermann's on a 74 mph 2-2 curve from the Miami Marlins' Carlos Zambrano. They were both to left field. Strasburg's HR, according to Hit Tracker Online, went a "true distance" of 398 ft into the visitor's bullpen. You can see the 377ft sign on the left field wall in Nationals Park where it soars over. Zimmermann's HR went 387 ft (acc. to Hit Tracker) into the seats in front of the Marlins Park's Clevelander Bar. According to the USA Today, the Marlins estimated Zimmermann's HR traveled 377ft. Strasburg's was his first career home run in his 42nd at bat. Zimmermann's first was in his 97th AB.

As Nats Enquirer noted this morning, Baseball Prospectus' Larry Granillo timed Strasburg's slow trot around the bases at 26.15 seconds. A quick review of Zimmermann's slow trot around the bases has him at approximately 24 seconds between the crack of the bat and the moment he stepped on home. But the trot included a pause at second base while the 26-year-old right-hander tried to figure out if it had actually gone out.

"'It's hard to see,'" the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore quoted Zimmermann explaining, "'There's so many bright objects out there.'"

"It felt pretty good," Strasburg told reporters after he hit his home run, "Honestly, I didn't think it was going out. Typically when we hit in BP the speed is a little bit down so we have to swing a lot harder to hit it out. But it just shows that you put a good swing on it and hit it on the right part and it will go out."

"Some times you run into them, I guess," Strasburg concluded.

"He launches about 10 [HR's] a day when he's taking BP," Nats' skipper Davey Johnson told reporters after Strasburg's homer. "I didn't expect Stras to hit a breaking ball. He doesn't usually see breaking balls. Bo Porter came in after [the HR] and said, 'We found the left fielder.'"

Strasburg's HR was at home in the nation's capital, so it included a curtain call in front of an appreciative audience. There was not much of a celebration in Marlins Park after Zimmermann's home run, though he did have his helmet removed for his as he was greeted by his teammates in the Nats' dugout. So all things considered, the pitch they hit their home runs on, the distance traveled, the home run trot speed, etc. Which pitcher hit the most impressive home run? Stephen Strasburg or Jordan Zimmermann?

Poll

Which pitcher HR was more impressive? Strasburg's or Zimmermann's?

Miami Marlins' Big Sixth Leads To 5-3 Win Over Jordan Zimmermann And The Washington Nationals.

' Welcome To Marlins Park: The Washington Nationals swept three-straight from the Atlanta Braves this weekend, leaving the Nats 5-1 six games into the current nine-game road trip. The Nationals and Marlins started a three-game set this afternoon in Miami in the Nationals' first visit to the new Marlins Park, after which Washington will return home for six more with NL East opponents, three with the Braves and three with the visiting New York Mets. But first they had to beat the Fish. 26-year-old Nats' right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, coming off a 6.0-inning outing against the Phillies last week in which he gave up seven hits, two walks and one earned run in a win in Citizens Bank Park, was making his tenth start of the year today, but his first against Washington's divisional rivals from Florida. Zimmermann took the mound with the score 0-0 in the bottom of the first after the Nats failed to score off Marlins' right-hander Carlos Zambrano. A called strike three with a 95mph 1-2 fastball to Jose Reyes and a pop to second from Omar Infante got Zimmermann the first two outs in the bottom of the inning before Hanley Ramirez singled to right, but a grounder back to the mound off Giancarlo Stanton's bat ended a quick 13-pitch, 12-strike home half of the frame.

0-0 after one...

' Jordan "DIY" Zimmermann: The Nationals went down in order in the second. Jordan Zimmermann got a fly to right and a groundout to second baseman Danny Espinosa before giving up a second two-out single, this one by Marlins' catcher John Buck, who took a 2-1 slider through short. Ryan Zimmerman had a bad hop off the lip of the infield grass shoot by him on a grounder to third by Chris Coghlan, E:5, but the Nats' right-handed starter got the opposing pitcher to ground to second to end a 19-pitch inning in Marlins Park. After his second scoreless frame, Zimmermann picked up his bat and took a 2-2 curve from Carlos Zambrano deep to left field and out of the park! The Nats' right-hander's home run was the first of his career and it comes in his 97th career AB. 1-0 Nationals after two and a half.

' Zim and Zim(n): Ryan Zimmerman had a sharp grounder from Hanley Ramirez bounce off his glove to Ian Desmond at short, but Desmond's throw to first was high and pulled Adam LaRoche of the bag. What was ruled a two-out hit for Ramirez was the Marlins' third two-out hit in three innings, but a groundout to first off Giancarlo Stanton's bat ended Zimmermann's third scoreless frame. The 11-pitch inning had Zimmermann at 43 pitches, up 1-0 after three. Danny Espinosa went first-to-third on a two-out single by Rick Ankiel in the top of the fourth, but a Carlos Maldonado groundout to third ended the top of the inning with the score still 1-0 Nationals.

' Red Grooms vs Zim: Marlins' first baseman Logan Morrison got hold of a 94 mph 2-2 four-seamer from Jordan Zimmermann and sent a screaming liner out to right into the Marlins Park bleachers for LoMo's third home run of 2012 and a 1-1 tie. Zimmermann retired the next three Fish batters in order to keep it 1-1 after four with the Nats' right-handed starter at 58 pitches, 45 of them strikes. Steve Lombardozzi (2 for 3) and Bryce Harper (1 for 3) hit back-to-back line drive singles to center in the top of the fifth, and Ryan Zimmerman (1 for 3) crushed a 2-2 slider in the next at bat, sending a two-run double to left-center that scored Lombo and Harper to make it 3-1 Nats. (Note: Zimmerman's 9th double of the year was his third in the last four games.)

' Red Grooms Again: After being given another lead to work with, Jordan Zimmermann retired the Marlins in order in a quick 10-pitch bottom of the fifth, after which he was at 68 pitches on the afternoon. Carlos Zambrano needed just seven pitches to set the Nationals down in order in the top of the sixth, but he was up to 95 pitches after the Nationals' half of the frame. Hanley Ramirez was 3 for 3 on the day (and 6 for 13 vs Zimmermann in his career) after he took an 88 mph 2-2 slider to left for a leadoff single in the Marlins' sixth and after Zimmermann left a hanging 3-1 slider up for Giancarlo Stanton to crush it was a 3-3 game in Marlins Park. Just crushed. 11 HR's in May, 12 on the season for the Marlins' slugger. Logan Morrison followed with a double to right for the Marlins' third straight hit and the fourth-straight was a single to left by Bryan Petersen that put runners on first and third with no outs. Zimmermann got John Buck swinging with a filthy 0-2 slider for out no.1, but a sac fly to left by Chris Coghlan was deep enough for Logan Morrison to score from third and make it a 4-3 Marlins' lead after six. Zimmermann's 30-pitch inning has him up to 98 pitches and down a run...

' Zimmermann's Line: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's, 2 HR, 98 pitches, 75 strikes, 9/2 GO/FO.

' #LomboLobby: Roger "The Shark" Bernadina hit for Zimmermann in top of the seventh, or more accurately, walked in a nine-pitch at bat. Steve Lombardozzi followed with his third hit in four at bats, sending a line-drive single to left on a 2-2 splitter from Carlos Zambrano. It was the last pitch the Marlins' starter would throw as left-hander Dan Jennings replaced Zambrano with two on, no one out and Bryce Harper due up. Harper took a high 2-2 slider to work the count full and lined a full-count pitch to left field where Chris Coghlan made a sliding catch and strong throw in to hold the runners at first and third. Marlins' right-hander Edward Mujica then came on to face Ryan Zimmerman, and got a 6-4-3 inning-ending DP on the first pitch he threw. 4-3 Marlins in the seventh.

' No Rain, But Lightning: Henry "Lightning" Rodriguez took over in the bottom of the inning, giving up a bloop hit to center by Jose Reyes on which the speedy Marlins' infielder took second. Reyes took third on a grounder to third by Omar Infante, waiting until after Ryan Zimmerman threw to first to break for the bag. Hanley Ramirez fouled off a two full count pitches before sending a fly to shallow center on which Jose Reyes tagged up and broke for home, but Rick Ankiel couldn't get it out of his glove after he made the catch, so no play at the plate. 5-3 Marlins after seven. Edward Mujica came back out and threw a 14-pitch, 1-2-3 eighth to keep the two-run lead in tact. Nats' right-hander Ryan Perry threw a quick 11-pitch, 1-2-3 eighth and Marlins' closer Heath Bell came out to pitch the ninth...

' Bell vs The Nats: Rick Ankiel worked the count full in the first at bat of the ninth before chasing a high fastball and missing. Swinging K. One down. Carlos Maldonado K'd swinging a mid-90's 1-2 heater four out no.2, and Corey Brown flies out to center to end it. 5-3 Marlins win. Bell gets the save. Zimmermann the loss.

' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...

' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph ( - Doghouse's thoughts on the the Red Grooms' HR art piece):

Nationals now 29-19.

Washington Nationals' Michael Morse Will Reportedly Play For Class-A Potomac Monday.

Ministry of Plenty

Doghouse

Dave at District Sports Page

bluelineswinger

d_c_guy

jeff550

SaratogaCountySports

Washington Nationals At Atlanta Braves: GameThread 45 Of 162.

Ministry of Plenty

Doghouse

Dave at District Sports Page

bluelineswinger

d_c_guy

jeff550

SaratogaCountySports

Washington Nationals Win 7-4 Over Atlanta Braves; Ryan Zimmerman's 3-Run Double In 7th = HUGE.

' Davey Believes In Det: "I think he grew up a lot today," Washington Nationals' manager Davey Johnson told reporters when discussing Ross Detwiler's final start of 2011 against the Atlanta Braves last September. "I mean he got a little wild and didn't get overly aggressive and just stayed within himself and pitched out of a tough jam. No outs, bases loaded with awfully good hitters up there, so that was a great effort on his part." Detwiler threw six scoreless that day, escaping the bases-loaded no-out jam that Johnson referenced in the fourth and ending his year on a streak of 13.1 scoreless innings pitched over two starts against the Phillies and Braves. The Nats' skipper predicted then that Detwiler, a 26-year-old '07 1st Round pick, would compete for a role in the Nationals' 2012 rotation, which Detwiler eventually won late in Spring Training. Late-blooming prospects like Detwiler were nothing new for the Nats' 69-year-old skipper, however, who'd seen a lot in his fifteen (at that point) years on the bench.

"Shoot, I've seen [Ron] Darling, Sid Fernandez and [Rick] Aguilera," Johnson told reporters seeking an explanation for Detwiler's sudden success late last year. "Young pitchers with great promise can take longer. I know [Detwiler] had a number of starts last year, but what he's done this year, starting once, being in the bullpen and then getting back in the rotation, he's pitched against some good-hitting ballclubs and done okay. Held his head above water." Detwiler more than hold his head above water at the start of the 2012 campaign. In four starts and 22.0 IP in March/April, Detwiler had a 1.64 ERA, a 3.02 FIP, six walks and 19 K's. In four starts and 22.1 IP in May, however, Detwiler's ERA's up to 5.64, his FIP's risen to 3.74 and he's walked five and K'd 12. He took the mound tonight looking to rebound from two tough starts, and he had a big lead when he did...

' All W/ 2 Outs: Bryce Harper and Ryan ZImmerman had back-to-back one-out line drives off Braves' right-hander Tim Hudson in the top of the first, after Steve Lombardozzi had worked his way back from an 0-2 count and K'd on a high 3-2 fastball. Harper singled to center, then took third as Ryan Zimmerman doubled over ATL CF Michael Bourn's head and off Turner Field's center field wall. Adam LaRoche, who's mired in a 1 for 20 slump, took a called strike three on a two-seamer inside after working the count full. 1 for 21. Ian Desmond didn't wait til the count was full, the Nats' run-producing shortstop was first-pitch swinging as usual and he singled to center to bring in two. 2-0 Nationals early. Make that 4-0. Hudson hits Danny Espinosa to put two on with two out and Rick Ankiel hits a two-run triple off the right-center wall. All with two outs.

' AVG 25 Pitches Per?: Ross Detwiler took the mound with a four-run lead, but Braves' third baseman Martin Prado battled for 11 pitches before sending a one-out line drive double into the right-center gap that neither Rick Ankiel or Bryce Harper were able to get anywhere near. A 95 mph 3-2 fastball got Freddie Freeman swinging for out no.2 and after a two-out walk to Dan Uggla, a groundout to short by Matt Diaz ended a 28-pitch scoreless first for Detwiler. After a long first, Tim Hudson retired the Nats' 9-1-2 hitters on four pitches in the top of the second. Detwiler walked back-up backstop David Ross (who left the game with an injury) and gave up single by Jack Wilson with one out in Atlanta's second, but a sac bunt and fly to center ended a 22-pitch frame with Detwiler at 50 pitches after two.

' It's Pronounced DIE-AZ: Tim Hudson set the Nats down in order in the third, throwing a quick 11-pitch frame before Martin Prado completed half of the cycle with a triple to left-center on which Steve Lombardozzi and Rick Ankiel got in each other's way and tumbled over one another in front of the track. Detwiler struck Freddie Freeman out for the second time, with a fastball again and a 95 mph heater up high got Dan Uggla swinging for out no.2, but Matt Diaz ripped a two-out single through short to bring Prado in and make it 4-1 Nats in the third. A two-out walk to Jason Heyward had Detwiler up to 22 pitches in the inning and 72 pitches overall. A groundout to second by Brian McCann on the 27th pitch from Detwiler finally ended the inning with two Braves' stranded.

' Hudson Settles In: Rick Ankiel singled with one down in the fourth, but was thrown out by McCann. Jesus Flores singled in the next at bat, but it only served to clear the pitcher's spot as Tim Hudson completed a 14-pitch frame for his third scoreless inning after the long top of the first. Ross Detwiler needed just 12 pitches to retire the Braves in order in the bottom of the fourth, but he was up to 89 pitches overall. 16 pitches got Hudson through the top of the fifth, as he set down 12 of 14 batters after the Nats' big first. Detwiler gave up a leadoff double by Martin Prado (3 for 3, 2 2B, 3B) and a one-out walk to Dan Uggla on his 100th pitch of the night and Davey Johnson had seen enough. Johnson he went to the pen for Chien-Ming Wang. Braves' left fielder Matt Diaz welcomed Wang to the 2012 campaign by doubling to center to bring both of Det's runners in and make it 4-3, but an 8-6-5 relay caught Diaz at third. Two outs, and Wang gets a grounder to end the 5th with the Nats up by one...

' Hudson Rolling: 15 of 17 Nationals set down after their two-out rally in the first after Braves' RHP Tim Hudson throws a quick 11-pitch, 1-2-3 top of the sixth, after which it's still 4-3 Nationals and Hudson up to 89 pitches. Chien-Ming Wang got the first two-outs of the Braves' sixth on five pitches, but gave up a two-out single by Hudson before retiring Michael Bourn to end a nine-pitch frame. Wang walked with two down in the Nats' seventh, taking the first free pass from Hudson today. The Nats' right-hander jogged slowly to third on a two-out double by Steve Lombardozzi and Hudson put Bryce Harper on in front of Ryan Zimmerman, loading the bases with two down before giving up a two-out, three-run double to center. Zim's 8th double ends Hudson's night. 7-3 Nats.

' Mr. National: Former Nats' starter and current-Braves' reliever Livan Hernandez gave up a seven-pitch leadoff walk to the first member of his former team that he faced this season, Ian Desmond. Two pitches, a double play and foul pop to left late, Livan had a nine-pitch scoreless top of the eighth. Chien-Ming Wang got the first out of the Braves' eighth before he served up HR no.6 on the year by Jason Heyward, who took a 91 mph sinker for a ride to right. 7-4 Nationals. Sean Burnett replaced Wang on the mound, giving up a single by Brian McCann, but nothing else. 7-4 Nationals after eight. Braves' right-hander Christhian Martinez retired the Nationals in order in the ninth. With a three-run lead, Nats' skipper Davey Johnson brought Tyler Clippard on. A 1-2 change gets Michael Bourn swinging. ONE! Martin Prado flies to right. TWO!! Freddie Freeman swings through a 1-2 change for out no. 3. 1-2-3 the Nats win. 7-4 final.

' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...

' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: (-Doghouse-isms):

Nationals now 27-18.

Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Can't Beat Cole Hamels, Atlanta Braves' Tim Hudson Next.

"They made plays we didn't," Davey Johnson told reporters after last night's loss to the Philadephia Phillies. "[Cole Hamels] started the game throwing mostly fastballs,' the Washington Nationals' manager said, "And we didn't center on that, and then he went to his changeup. A typical Hamels' game. We didn't get a hit until the fifth or sixth inning. He's tough. Seven wins. Pretty good." The win stopped a four-game losing streak by the Phillies. The loss snapped the Nats' six-game winning streak on the road in Citizens Bank Park. Asked about the Nationals' inability to sweep a series for the ninth time this season, the 69-year-old skipper chalked it up to running into a tough pitcher. "We just got a good pitched game against us," Johnson said, "Tip your hat to him, he's done that to quite a few people." The loss leaves the Nats 26-18 with a .5 lead over the Braves heading into this weekend's three-game series with Atlanta. Sunday night's on ESPN. A day off today? What will you do? How about some lunch time links, RIGHT NOW!!!:

' THE BIG STORY!!!:

' "Chapter 2 proved to be a showcase for [Cole] Hamels, his concentration and his all-around repertoire." - "Hamels-Harper rematch reflects respect" - Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com

' NATS BEAT:

' "You had back-and-forth debates about what, exactly, 'old-school baseball' is, with players, past and present, coaches, TV talking heads and fans openly discussing the game's unwritten rules." - "Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels move forward from incident" - Anthony Castrovince, nationals.com: News

' "Perhaps humbled by the backlash he's received in the last two-and-a-half weeks, [Cole] Hamels didn't talk with purpose pitches, he just silenced the Nationals with all of them." - "Cole Hamels mows down Nationals in their 4-1 loss" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "'It wasn't in my head at all,' [Cole] Hamels said of his tiff with Harper. 'I had nine guys that I had to face, so it wasn't on my mind.'" - "Hamels handles Harper, Nats" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

' "[Bryce] Harper went 1 for 3 with a walk and a single that nearly scored a game-changing run." - "Nationals vs. Phillies: Cole Hamels dominates Bryce Harper and Washington in first meeting since plunking" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

' "[Bryce] Harper went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk against [Cole] Hamels tonight, but it was his first at-bat that he was lamenting after the game." - "Nationals Pastime: Harper discusses facing Hamels a second time around" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "[Bryce] Harper went so far as to say that everyone has forgotten about what happened between him and Hamels earlier this month." - "Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies - May 23, 2012" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap

' "[Ian] Desmond's name appears on National League leaderboards for hits, total bases, multihit games, doubles and extra-base hits." - "Ian Desmond an unexpected source of power for Nationals" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' Twitter: @ThomasBoswellWP: "At 90 ABs, Harper:.267-.353-.467. Mantle & Griffey rookie yrs at 19: Mick .267-.349-.443. Jr:.264-.329-.420 Hey, prob'ly just coincidence." -

' "[Stephen] Strasburg has come to grips with the fact that, even though he is almost two years removed from the surgery, the Nationals are still placing some restrictions on him." - "Stephen Strasburg still on track after bullpen session" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

' "Atlanta is also a strong pitching team, with starter Brandon Beachy leading baseball with a 1.77 ERA. Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson also have ERAs ranking in the NL's top 40." - "Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves - May 25, 2012" - Vinnie Duber, MLB.com Preview

' "The NL East remains the only division in the majors in which the first- and last-place teams are separated by fewer than five games." - "Nationals Pastime: Still harping on Harper" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "The only question all along with [Michael] Morse has been his ability to throw; the injury doesn't affect his swing at all." - "Morse, Lidge targeting early-June return" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

' "The Nationals have not seen Chase Utley, Ryan Howard or Cliff Lee, and for the past three games the Phillies did not have Jimmy Rollins." - "How the Nationals and Phillies stack up, until they meet again" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

' "'The only thing that exacerbated it is [Cole] Hamels saying something,' [Davey] Johnson said. 'He didn't head hunt or nothing like that. He hit one of my good hitters in the back.'" - "Johnson pleased with Harper's play, demeanor" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

' "The burgeoning Phillies/Nationals rivalry is getting a lot of hype. It might be getting overhyped." - "Phillies, Nationals End Series, Still Without A Rivalry" - Grant Brisbee, Baseball Nation

' "Michael Morse will play in his first extended spring training game on Friday, the first game action the outfielder will have since he was shut down April 11 with a torn right lat muscle." - "Injury updates: Strasburg, Morse, Lidge, DeRosa (and Davey)" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' "Brad Lidge could return to a Nationals' bullpen in need of reinforcements sooner than expected." - "Brad Lidge ahead of schedule in throwing program" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

' "'I thought Edwin [Jackson] pitched a damn good ballgame, we just couldn't get nothing going against [Cole] Hamels,' manager Davey Johnson said." - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson talks after Nats' 4-1 loss" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

' "The Nationals did squat against [Cole] Hamels for five innings, managing only three walks and no hits against the lefty.'" - "Instant analysis: Phillies 4, Nats 1" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

' "'In [Michael] Morse's mind, he is ready tomorrow, as soon as he is playing one game,' [Davey] Johnson said." - "Morse ready for game action in Florida" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

' "The Nationals are optimistic slugger Michael Morse could return sooner than the beginning of interleague play June 8." - "Michael Morse will return by June 8 'for sure,' maybe sooner" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

' "[Ian] Desmond's name appears on National League leaderboards for hits, total bases, multihit games, doubles and extra-base hits." - "Ian Desmond an unexpected source of power for Nationals" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

' Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Due to the fundamental interconnectedness that lies at the heart of reality, your interest is also my interest."

' NATS MINORS:

' Class-A Hagerstown: "Suns starting pitcher Alex Meyer did not factor in the decision after going five innings allowing one run (solo home run) while striking out seven batters." - "Ramsey Homers Twice, but Suns Fall in Extras 8-6" - Hagerstown Suns News

' Class-A Potomac: "For the second time in three games, the Potomac Nationals were shut out by the Wilmington Blue Rocks in a 3-0 loss this morning." - "Shut Out in Wilmington: Nationals Lose 3-0" - Potomac Nationals News

' Double-A Harrisburg: Senators 5, Curve 3 - Tim Pahuta - 2 for 3, 1 2B, 1 HR; Daniel Rosenbaum - 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's - Harrisburg Senators Scoreboard

' Double-A Harrisburg: Senators 3, Curve 2 - Eury Perez - 1 for 3, 1 R, 2 SB; Ryan Tatusko - 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB - Harrisburg Senators Scoreboard

' "A lot of talk has surrounded the emergence of former Yankees prospect right-hander Christian Garcia, who has fought back from a pair of Tommy John surgeries." - "Garcia, Nelo and Davis making waves in Harrisburg (Hood update)" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

' "Washington Nationals Minor League Scoreboard for May 23" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

' "Thursday's News & Notes" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

' NATSTOWN:

' "May 24, 1943 - Former Yankee and Senator nemesis Lefty Gomez signs with Washington following his release from the Boston Braves. Gomez will lose in his only appearance with the Sens before retiring." - "This Date in Washington Senators History" - Art Audley, D.C. Baseball History

' "The big storyline last night for all the sports networks though, was the second showdown between Cole Hamels and Bryce Harper." - "The Nats' Offense Flat in Series Finale Loss against Philadelphia" - Patrick Hilley, The Nats Blog

' "Old School chicken [bleep] Cole Hamels dominates." - "Nats avoid another sweep" - Nats Enquirer

' "There was a time when you had to be in DC to watch the Nationals play, whether you had a ticket or not." - "Nats Gaining National Attention" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy

' "Old School chicken [bleep] Cole Hamels dominates." - "Nats avoid another sweep" - Nats Enquirer

' "Fans are fed up with the 'Wild Thing' act. Though he's blown just three saves (I know, right?), every outing is a high-wire act." - "What to do about Rodriguez?" - Nationals Buzz: Dave Nichols, MASNSports.com

' NL EAST UPDATES:

' Marlins: "Juan Carlos Oviedo, the relief pitcher formerly known as Leo Nunez, is a big step closer to getting his career back on track with the Miami Marlins." - "Pitcher Juan Carlos Oviedo closer to returning to Miami Marlins" - Manny Navarro, MiamiHerald.com

' Mets: "Tomorrow evening at Citi Field, [Jeremy] Hefner will make his first major-league start. He faces the San Diego Padres, the club that bounced him from their 40-man roster last November." - "Mets' Jeremy Hefner set to make first major-league start against Padres" - Andy McCullough, NJ.com

' Braves: "Hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park hasn't been so kind to the Braves the last three days." - "Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds - May 23, 2012" - Kevin Goheen, MLB.com ATL Recap

' Phillies: "Before the first time Hamels faced the Nationals this year, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel spoke of how the left-hander has evolved in his time in the majors -- how he'd become more consistent and tougher." - "Cole Hamels is setting himself up for a mega deal in free agency" - Buster Olney, ESPN

Washington Nationals: Nats' Prospect Chat With MASN's Byron Kerr.

You know Byron Kerr from MASN and MASNSports.com, where he writes about the Washington Nationals' organization and often hosts the Nats Xtra pregame and post-game shows. Mr. Kerr's also the host of the weekly Nats Insider show, and he contributes to Nats Talk Live. (LINK: Mr. Kerr's full bio). He's also on Twitter (@BKerr32), where he often releases recordings like the recent post game interview with Bryce Harper in which Harper said he knew he might get a few boos and hoped he didn't get hit by any batteries during the just-completed series with the Phillies. Dave Nichols, from the District Sports Page and I (Patrick Reddington, Federal Baseball(FBb)/SBNDC set up a quick chat with MASN's Mr. Kerr to talk about his coverage of the Nationals' minor leaguers, starting with 21-year-old 2011 3rd Round pick Matt Purke, who could be headed to an affiliate near you in the near future...

' Patrick Reddington (FBb/SBNDC): Byron, your recent reports on 2011 3rd Round pick Matt Purke have been interesting, do you have any idea if he's had another injury or if he's still building strength from the issues he had in college? He's been talked about as a quick-to-the-majors-type, how advanced a pitcher is he at this point from what you've heard? In other words, how "quick-to-the-majors"?

Byron Kerr (MASN): "The Nationals are being very careful about information regarding Purke's health. He has had issues with his shoulder in the past so that leads me to believe that that is what is delaying his arrival. His recent five innings and expected five innings this week, plus reports that he has hit 92 mph are all good signs that he has built up his strength and could arrive in Potomac soon.

"It is hard to qualify Purke as a "quick-to-the-majors" type, but that certainly was the word I got from Jim Callis of Baseball America regarding his high-end prospect status. I would be conservative in those assessments now and concentrate on seeing if he can make it through the season healthy. Potomac could certainly use his skill."

' Read the full Nats' prospect chat at SBNationDC HERE. And thanks to Dave and Byron for participating.

Washington Nationals' Lineup For Finale With Phillies; Michael Morse Injury Updates.

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Nats' skipper Davey Johnson told reporters last night that Washington Nationals' third baseman Ryan Zimmermann just had a "little bit of soreness" in his right shoulder yesterday, so the manager made the decision to have him sit for the second game of two with Philadelphia in Citizens Bank so he could come back for the series finale and then take advantage of the schedule to get two days of rest since Washington's off on Thursday. "'We've got a chance here,'" the 69-year-old skipper said he told the 27-year-old Face of the Nats franchise, "'I can give you off a day, play tomorrow and then you've got another day off. We want to nip that thing in the bud. You're too valuable to me. I know you want in there and believe me I want you in there.' But it bothered him a little [Monday] and it was bothering him a little bit [on Tuesday], and I said to him, 'No way.' I'll lose this battle but I don't want to lose the war." Zimmerman is back in the lineup tonight, as expected, as the Nats and right-hander Edwin Jackson take on the Phillies and left-hander Cole Hamels.

• Here's tonight's lineup:

#Nats Lineup: @DannyEspinosa18 2B, Harper RF, Zimmerman 3B, LaRoche 1B, @IanDesmond20 SS, Ankiel CF, Nady LF, @JesusFloresN26 C, @EJ36 RHP

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 23, 2012

• 7:05 pm EDT start time tonight. While you're waiting, you can listen to the latest edition of 106.7 the FAN in DC's The Mike Rizzo Show with Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier. The Nats' GM is at the ACC Tournament, watching prospects and preparing for the 2012 MLB Draft which takes place June 4th. Listen to the entire show and hear what Rizzo says about Henry Rodriguez, Ian Desmond and Triple-A Chiefs' outfielder Corey Brown:

• There were also updates from Citizens Bank Park today about 1B/OF Michael Morse, who was reportedly heading to Viera, Florida to start getting in some live action as he worked his way back from a lat strain. The 30-year-old slugger hasn't played a game yet this year as he's waited for the injury to heal, but he's about to start ramping it up over the next week and a few minor league starts are apparently not too far away. The word out of Philly today was that a June 8th return is the goal with the chance of Morse returning sooner than that still a possibility. Here's what the Tweeting members of the D.C. press corps had to say:

Michael Morse is scheduled to play in his first extended spring training game on Fri. Plan is for 3 G in Florida, then on to mi lg rehab.

— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 23, 2012

Morse will play in extended spring Friday. He'll return 6/8 "for sure," Davey said, and "some people are thinking it might be accelerated."

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) May 23, 2012

Morse in Viera, will start playing games Friday. Probably go on rehab assignment next week. Return from DL no later than June 8.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) May 23, 2012

June 8th is, of course, the start of more Interleague play which would allow Morse to serve as a DH as he works his way back with the Nats traveling to Boston for three with the Red Sox before going north of the border to take on the Toronoto Blue Jays.

• Tonight's GameThread's up at 6:35 pm EDT.