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• Programming Note: There's a day of rest today before the Washington Nationals welcome the Philadelphia Phillies to the nation's capital for the first series of the season with the defending NL East champs and Jayson Werth's former employer. After that it's the Milwaukee Brewers and Nyjer Morgan in D.C. for a three-game weekend series. Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche are question marks as of this morning with Zim held out of Sunday's game after reaggravating an ab strain and LaRoche, who's struggled with shoulder issues, having been pulled from the finale with the Mets after tweaking his groin...Mr. National Himself Livan Hernandez vs "Bland" Joe Blanton on Tuesday.
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• NATS BEAT:
• "'It felt bad enough not to play today,' Zimmerman said. 'It’s worse than it was. It’s not terrible. So we’ll see.'" - "Ryan Zimmerman uncertain about return" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "'This group of guys has a chance to be something special,' [Adam LaRoche] said. 'You can see it in here when guys show up.'" - "All hands on deck in this win." - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "'I kept stretching it as the game went on and started to feel it more and more,' LaRoche said. 'It didn't feel great running to second.'" - "Abdominal strain holds Zimmerman out of lineup" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com
• "He quickly dismissed the idea of missing Tuesday's game against the Phillies, saying tomorrow's off-day 'came at a perfect time.'" - "Adam LaRoche strains left groin, confident he'll play Tuesday." - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "'That’s a credit to Mike Rizzo,' said Nationals manager Jim Riggleman. 'The bench he put together there, it’s showed up here lately.'" - "Bench picks up slack as depleted Nats take Mets series" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'If playing risks making it get worse, then rest is the prudent course,' General Manager Mike Rizzo said.'" - Mike Rizzo on Ryan Zimmerman - "Ryan Zimmerman out with strained abdominal muscle" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "'I feel great. I prepare myself year after year to go nine innings every game. Obviously, that's the goal,' Marquis said." - "Washington Nationals at New York Mets - April 10, 2011" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com
• "He quickly dismissed the idea of missing Tuesday's game against the Phillies, saying tomorrow's off-day 'came at a perfect time.'" - "Adam LaRoche strains left groin, confident he'll play Tuesday." - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• Nats Minors:
• "The Bryce Harper Rap" - The Nationals Enquirer
• "After opening his pro career with a pair of singles in his first two at-bats Thursday, the top pick in the 2010 Draft was retired in his next nine at-bats, striking out three times. Harper ended the skid with a single up the middle in the first inning." - "Harper snaps slump as Suns sweep" - John Parker, MiLB.com
• "Potomac Nationals vs Lynchburg Hillcats in Photos."
• "Luis Atilano started for the Sens and went the first five innings, striking out two and walking two while allowing two runs." - "Senators Rally for 4-3 Win" - Terry Byrom, Harrisburg Senators News
• "Lefthander Tom Milone, Washington's 2010 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, was as good as advertised in his first ever Triple-A start." - "Chiefs win second straight at Lehigh Valley" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty."
• NATSTOWN:
• "It was one of those ugly starts for Jason Marquis that Nats fans have come accustomed to seeing." - "Nats Embarrass Mets in Extras" - Joe Drugan, Capitol Baseball
• "The 2011 edition of Potomac Nationals is apparently aware that walkoff wins on Sunday afternoon are a new tradition in Woodbridge..." - "Sunday Afternoon In Woodbridge" - Sue Dinem, NationalsProspects.com
• "Today’s victory is an emotional one for a lot of reasons. First, the club did it without their star player, face of the franchise Ryan Zimmerman." - "Nats Win Big In Extra Innings Over The Mets" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog
• SharkNatsTown:
• "Trust me, there is no better sound than that of a Phillies fans' heart breaking." - "NATIONALS WIN, SHARK IN SPACE?!" - Sharkadina, Street Shark: Roger Bernadina's Unofficial Blog
• NL EAST:
• Marlins: "'We are showing we are capable of coming from behind and winning close games. When we face Atlanta and Philly, those are the types of games we're going to be playing,' manager Edwin Rodriguez said." - "Braves, Phillies will provide tough road tests for Marlins" - Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post
• Mets: "This is the big leagues. You've gotta plant some pitches, and we're walking guys at too high a rate." - Mets' Manager Terry Collins - "Relief pitchers doom Mets, Young - Dan Martin, NYPOST.com
• Phillies/Braves: "'It was neat,' [John] Smoltz said. 'Doc Halladay really wanted to know how we did things. He was more engaging and really a fan. I'm a fan of obviously what he has done.'" - "Uggla flashing glove for Braves with style" - Mark Bowman, MLB.com