• Nats Everywhere: Bryce Harper collected his second hit in six AFL games last night, singling with one down in the seventh before he was doubled-up in the next AB. The soon-to-be 19-year-old Harper is now 2 for 23 this Fall. Ryan Tatusko had a rough outing in his first game in the Venezuelan Winter League, giving up a hit and three walks in 0.2 IP in which he also threw a wild pitch. In that same game, former Nats' OFer Lastings Milledge hit two doubles and went 2 for 3 with a walk. Jesus "Teh Clutch" Flores hit a single, double and HR, going 3 for 5 w/ 3 RBI's as the Navegantes del Magallanes beat the Agulias del Zulia. Aguilas' 3B Seth Bynum was 0 for 3 w/ a walk and catchers Carlos Maldonado and Sandy Leon were a combined 0 for 2 with 2 walks. Gregor Blanco was 1 for 3 w/ a walk and an RBI...And finally, Josh Wilkie threw a scoreless frame, striking out two to earn his first VWL save. On to the links...When does Matt Purke pitch?
• THE BIG STORY:
• "'I haven’t played any games since June,' he said. 'It’s been terrible. I’m just a competitor. I want to be on the field as much as I can...'" - Anthony Rendon - "Nationals taking their time with top draft pick Anthony Rendon" - Amy Shipley, The Washington Post
• NATS BEAT:
• "No, really what the Nats need to do is simply hit better. Record more base hits. Draw more walks. Put more men on base." - "Where the Nats ranked in 2011" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "By most accounts, this was a competent team on the bases. It also was in 2010. But there's no substitute for getting more runners on base..." - "How much did the Nationals' baserunning really change in 2011?" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "'Since he was 7 months old, he has been with a ball or he has been swinging a bat,' Rodriguez said. 'He did all of that before turning 1."" - Pudge Rodriguez on his son Dereck - "All-Star ready for son to shine" - David Dorsey, The News-Press, news-press.com
• Your Daily Message From The Washington Nationals On Twitter (@NationalsPR): "#Nationals will host the Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game at Nationals Park on Tuesday, April 3, 2012."
• "Nationals catcher Jesus Flores finished a triple shy of the cycle, plating three runs and scoring twice in the victory." - "Milledge doubles twice in Aragua win" - MLB.com: News
• AFL UPDATES:
• AFL: Salt River 3 Scottsdale 1 - Bryce Harper - 1 for 4 - MLB.com: Gameday
• "Left fielder Bryce Harper, the Nationals' top prospect, returned to the lineup, going 1-for-4 with a single. He is batting .087 and left a man in scoring position." - "Harper manages base hit in Scottsdale's 3-1 loss to Salt River" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "AFL Update: October 14, 2011" - NationalsProspects.com
• "MLB.com's top two prospects, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, both started for the Scorpions for the third time since the beginning of the Fall League." - "Eaton collects three hits to pace Rafters" - David Heck, MLB.com: News
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "It is important to understand that between you and others, others are more important because they are far more numerous." -
• NATS BEAT:
• "Washington Nationals Relief Pitcher Collin Balester grew a mustache last offseason and it drew a lot of attention. Enough attention to get it’s own Twitter account-StacheOBally." - "NATS: Collin Balester and His Mustache" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page
• "Of all the 'core' players on the Phillies roster, its Rollins turn to go. Break it off now before things take a turn for the worst." - "NL East Update: The one where the time is now for Phillies and Jimmy Rollins to move on" - Ted Youngling, The Nats Blog
• "Today is Part 4 of our 44 part series examining each player that suited up in a Curly W this year." - "A Few Good Men: 4 - Nix" - Sean, Capitol Baseball
• "This should send a message to the Nationals. They can play and win in October with the right management getting the right players. It has nothing to do with how much money they spend to get free agents." - "Remaining Playoff Teams Provide Inspiration For Nationals" - Leslie Monteiro, District on Deck
• "Here’s my latest personal answers to Bill Ladson’s inbox, 10/10/11 edition." - "Ladson’s inbox 10/10/11 edition at Nationals Arm Race" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arms Race
• "If Rizzo is ready to win, he should go get Josh Beckett." - "Nonsense hypotheticals blogs are made for" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Mets: "Welcome back to the Dickeys. Congratulations again to Lucas Duda on winning the Dickey for Best Rookie! We now shift our focus to the Mets' underachievers." - "The Dickeys: Amazin' Avenue 2011 Mets Awards, Worst Relief Pitcher" - Chris McShane, Amazin' Avenue
• Mets: From The Twitter Machine Newark Star-Ledger Andy McCullough (@Ledger_NYMets): "No official word that the Mets have hired Bob Geren, but Jim Riggleman was informed today that he would not be getting the bench coach job."
• Marlins: "Speaking of Pudge, who’s a free agent, any thoughts on the Marlins signing him this offseason?" - "Florida Marlins: Proud papa Pudge Rodriguez watches son in pro ball" - Juan C. Rodriguez, Florida Sun-Sentinel
• Braves: "The Braves announced Monday night that the results of the exam were negative and that the 22-year-old outfielder [Jayson Heyward] will not need to undergo any kind surgical procedure." - "Latest MRI shows Jason Heyward's right shoulder doesn't require surgery" - Mark Bowman, braves.com: News
• Phillies: "On paper, Charlie’s Commutative Property of Managing makes sense. In practice, however, the theory has fallen short for three consecutive Octobers. " - "Manuel's management theory falls short" - Casey Feeney, CSNPhilly.com
• Your Daily Message From SI.com's Joe Posnanski: "Justin Verlander Delivers Superhuman Effort in Game 5 of ALCS." That’s Fox Sports. Superhuman. And this one from Detroit Free Press. "Tigers Fans Knew Justin Verlander Did All He Could." - "Superhuman" - Joe Posnanski, SI.com