• HE WAS OUT!!! It was already a 3-0 game when it happened. The bases were loaded. Ryan Mattheus had just hit D-Backs' second baseman Aaron Hill to force in run no.3 and give Arizona an insurmountable lead the way the Washington Nationals are scoring runs these days. The Nationals managed to bring one run around last night, with Roger Bernadina doubling and scoring on an Ian Desmond single, but after the game no one was talking about the Shark, Jordan Zimmermann, Trevor Cahill or the Nats' five-game losing streak. No. All anyone could talk about was that throw. Bryce Harper's throw in from left on what would usually be a routine sac fly. If you watch the replay on MLB.com's Gameday you'll hear the Diamondbacks' announcers admit it. SS John McDonald was thrown out trying to score from third on a Justin Upton sac fly to left. Bryce Harper made a throw that had the entire crowd buzzing... Just watch it again below. Harper was hitless in his first game in D.C., but he still managed to make headlines with his defense. Watch Harper's throw again, then it's on the LINKS. Get started, RIGHT NOW! HE WAS OUT!!!:
• THE BIG STORY!!!:
• NATS HARPER BEAT:
• "The dude can do things that other people just can’t do. It’s gonna be fun." - "Bryce Harper’s throw from left field to home" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post
• "For all the power he possesses with the bat, all the speed on the basepaths, it's easy to forget this was a kid who once threw 93 mph off a mound and played catcher almost his entire life." - "Bryce Harper's arm and other notes from the Nationals' fifth straight loss" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "The former No. 1 draft pick did, however, dazzle the crowd with another jaw-dropping throw from left field." - "Harper or not, Nats struggling to score" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "'He is a very aggressive swinger,' [Mike] Rizzo said. 'But, I think he is a very patient, aggressive swinger.'" - "Rizzo says Harper delivering as expected in early returns" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "'I thought I had a shot,' [Bryce] Harper said. 'I reared back and gave it my all. That's what I try to do, make plays like that and throw guys out.'" - "Gunslinger Harper shows off arm (VIDEO)" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com
• "'I think everybody’s gonna be happy with being called up, so I was very happy about it. I called my family really quick and told them, and had to jump on that plane to get out to LA.'" - "Harper on Harper" - Kevin Dunleavy, Washington Examiner
• "'If I'm satisfied with how he is developing, on how he is performing and how he is interacting -- if he is ready mentally, physically, emotionally to stay here -- then he will stay,' Rizzo said." - "Rizzo hints Harper could stick around for while" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "'I thought I had a shot,' [Bryce] Harper said. 'I reared back and gave it my all.'" - "Nationals vs. Diamondbacks: Bryce Harper makes home debut, but Nats’ offense remains lifeless in fifth straight loss" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post
• "Manager Davey Johnson joked he’d like to get a platelet-rich plasma shot from Harper. 'I need some of that blood in me,' he said Tuesday afternoon..." - "Bryce Harper taking D.C. by storm" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Nationals manager Davey Johnson stood in foul territory as [Bo] Porter approached, nodding and smiling. He, too, experiences joy watching Harper take BP." - "Bryce Harper of Washington Nationals is real deal despite hitless home debut" - Ken Rosenthal, FOX Sports on MSN
• "'It's a blessing I can tell you that,' Harper said of all the attention he has received. 'I love being out here and I love playing and I wouldn't change anything that's happening right now.'" - "Mr. Harper comes to Washington" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com
• "'I went into my first at-bat a little excited, chasing some pitches I shouldn't have,' Harper said of his first official at-bat ever at Nationals Park.'" - "Harper's close plays showed unbridled potential in home debut" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "When Stephen Strasburg debuted in June 2010, the Nationals knew having him would immediately make a huge impact. But Harper, alas, is just one hitter in a nine-member lineup." - "Bryce Harper's Nats Park debut does little to jolt lagging offense" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'Everybody was yelling and screaming . . . I got the chills out in left field,' [Bryce] Harper said of his early introduction..." - "Bryce Harper might not be ready for Major League Baseball, but don’t bet on it" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
• "Mustering just six hits off Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Trevor Cahill and two relievers, Washington fell 5-1, extending its losing streak to five games before 22,675." - "Nationals fall in Harper's home debut" - Kevin Dunleavy, Washington Examiner
• "'I was really impressed by how patient he was at the plate,' [Mark] Lerner said. 'Everybody has heard about the power, the sound of the ball off the bat like the great ones, his throwing ability, his catching ability.'" - "Nats owner pleased with Harper's patience" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "And, despite the call of umpire Jeff Nelson, baserunner John McDonald of Arizona was out at the plate — as the video and the Zapruder-like stills captured via D.C. blog Mr. Irrelevant show." - "Bryce Harper unrewarded for fantastic throw — again (VIDEO)" - David Brown, Big League Stew - Yahoo! Sports
• NATS BEAT:
• "'I feel like we got the hitters that can hit,' [Davey] ohnson said. '(We're) just not as aggressive as I'd like to see. Our one and two hitters (Ian Desmond and Steve Lombardozzi) were aggressive tonight.'" - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson talks offense, Harper after Nats' 5-1 loss" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "The Nationals' third baseman was out early Tuesday afternoon throwing lightly with trainer Lee Kuntz and he later took infield practice." - "Injury updates: Storen, Zimmerman, Lidge, DeRosa" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'With the guys that we have that are coming back, we’re not making a push to look outside ourselves for offense or bullpen,' Rizzo said." - "Mike Rizzo not looking for help as injuries mount; updates on Drew Storen, Chien-Ming Wang, etc." - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Reliever Brad Lidge had hernia surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss four to six weeks of action." - "Injury reports on Nats’ DeRosa, Lidge" - Bill Ladson, All Nats All the Time
• "'I'd activate him right away,' manager Davey Johnson said with a laugh. 'That'll be up to Zim, see how he's feeling.'" - "Zim throwing, Lidge has surgery" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "'Obviously, something needs to change,' first baseman Adam LaRoche said. 'It comes down to finding a way to get it done, and we haven't been doing it.'" - "Nationals Pastime: Nats hitters know 'something needs to change'" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "'It looks like we’re getting something going, then a double play,' Nats manager Davey Johnson said. 'The homestand, I look for us to come out of it.'" - "Woeful offense finally catches up to Nats" - Kevin Dunleavy, Washington Examiner
• "[Ryan] Zimmerman is also scheduled to start taking batting practice on Saturday. The third baseman is eligible to come off the disabled list early next week." - "Zimmerman throws, slated to start BP Saturday" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "The Nationals’ offensive woes go up and down the lineup. Only Jayson Werth (.808) and LaRoche (.921) have an OPS better than .700." - "Nationals searching for answers at the plate" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Jordan Zimmermann's outing was by no means sub-par -- he still was credited with this fifth consecutive quality start -- but it wasn't up to his usual standards." - "Instant analysis: D'backs 5, Nats 1" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "When Roger Bernadina crossed the plate in the eighth inning tonight, it broke a string of 17 straight innings the Nats had gone without a run." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats fall again, drop 5-1 decision to Diamondbacks" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "The Nationals will need Jackson to be the stopper Wednesday. They're on a five-game losing streak..." - "Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals - May 2, 2012" - Adam Berry, MLB.com Preview
• "[Ryan] Zimmerman’s first game back, then, could be the Nationals’ showcase against the rival Phillies on ESPN’s 'Sunday Night Baseball.'" - "Ryan Zimmerman feels ‘great’ playing catch, expects to come off disabled list Sunday" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Two of their players -- Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse -- are on the disabled list, and it's clear they are missed in the middle of the lineup." - "Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Even our personal virtues, such as patience and our sense of ethics, are all developed in dependence upon others."
• NATS MINORS:
• Class-A Potomac: "Rick Hague drove in his first RBI of the season in the third inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Wade Moore and cut the Nationals deficit to 3-1." - "Offensive Outburst Propels Dash Past Nats" - Potomac Nationals News
• Double-A Harrisburg: Rock Cats 6, Senators 1 - Chris Rahl - 2 for 5, 1 2B; Robert Gilliam - 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K's - Harrisburg Senators Scoreboard
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Left-hander Zach Duke tossed seven scoreless innings to earn his second win of the season and lead the Chiefs to their seventh win in nine games." - "Duke, Chiefs blow out Bisons" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Who are these guys and what have they done with the Syracuse Chiefs from the first three weeks of the season?" - "Chiefs Offense steamrolls over Buffalo, Duke sharp" - Ben Meyers, The Auburn Citizen
• "Last Night In Woodbridge" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "May 2, 1923 – Walter Johnson pitches the 100th shutout of his career with a 3-0 win over the Yankees at Griffith Stadium. The 'Big Train' would record 113 shutouts, still a major league record." - "This Date in Washington Senators History – Johnson pitches 100th career shutout" - Art Audley, D.C. Baseball History
• "The Arm. The Freak. Ank the Tank. Rick Ankiel's defensive prowess is an exciting part of the Washington Nationals, capable of producing a highlight at almost any point in the game." - "How Rick Ankiel Will Save The Nats" - Sean, Capitol Baseball
• "The Washington Nationals host the Arizona Diamondbacks this evening and I have my colleague John, a displaced-Washingtonian, answering questions about them and predicting the series." - "Nats vs. Diamondbacks Q&A and prediction from John the Phoenician" - William F. Yurasko, William World News
• "The mood was electric at Nationals Park for Bryce Harper’s home debut. It wasn’t a Strasburgian crowd, but they had a whole lot of energy... at the start." - "Lack of Offense Reaches New Heights, Nationals Lose Fifth Straight" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "Maybe Mike Morse can't hit or throw, but he can still high-five with the best of 'em." - "Morse eyes June return from disabled list" - Nats Enquirer
• "PHOTOS: Bryce Harper’s DC Debut" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page
• "Let's start with the good news. The Nats ARE getting on base ok. Not great, or even good, mind you. " - "No homers club" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "Since baseball returned to nation’s capital in 2005, the #33 was never issued. That changed this year when journeyman RHP Edwin Jackson, signed with the Nats." - "Nats: Frank Howard, Edwin Jackson and the number 33" - William F. Yurasko, William World News
• "Scenes From Bryce Harper’s D.C. Debut, Starring An Amazing Toss" - Jamie Mottram, Mr. Irrelevant
• "Rookies of the Year: Yoenis Cespedes and Bryce Harper" - baseballgirl, Athletics Nation
• "In what’s becoming an unfortunate but repeating refrain, the Washington Nationals just couldn’t get anything going against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Trevor Cahill, putting more strain on the pitching staff." - "Washington Nationals Game 23 Review: Harper’s home debut spoiled by Diamondbacks" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page
• "Ever since that Sports Illustrated article came out last week, the Washington Nationals haven’t won. In fact, they have barely scored." - "A Sports Illustrated jinx? Nah, the Nats just can’t score; Bryce Harper comes home" - William F. Yurasko, William World News
• "[Bryce] Harper was called up to help a slumping Nats offense while a portion of their hard-hitting manpower and reliable bullpen workhorses sit on the disabled list." - "A different vibe for Harper's home debut" - Nationals Buzz: Rachel Levitin, MASNSports.com
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Mets: "[Jonathon] Niese allowed five runs on six hits and two walks and struck out one. He was removed for pinch-hitter Lucas Duda when the Mets had a shot to tie the game in the fourth inning." - "Jonathon Niese lasts only three innings, digs five-run hole against Houston Astros during 6-3 loss at Minute Maid Park" - Roger Rubin, NY Daily News
• Marlins: "Forget trying to hit the 502 sign — the distance to the outfield fence is daunting enough at 386 feet in left-center, 418 in center and 392 in right-center." - "Has new ballpark messed up Marlins' hitters?" - Steve Wine, floridatoday.com
• Phillies: "In 2010 it was another starter in Roy Oswalt. In 2011, it was a slugging outfielder in Hunter Pence. In this young season, a third baseman with power is the Phillies’ most pressing need." - "Guest Post: The Trade Market at Third Base" - Anthony Rodin, Crashburn Alley
• Braves/Phillies: "Two-time Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay toes the rubber for the Phils, and he'll face Braves righty Tommy Hanson." - "Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves - May 2, 2012" A.J. Cassavell, MLB.com Preview