"[Stephen's] throwing bullpens, and he throws more and more pitches at increased velocities each time he goes out. He's starting to spin breaking balls, which is the final phase of the mound progression really before you start throwing in some kind of competitive environment. So he's progressing on schedule. He will not be rushed, as Jordan Zimmermann or anyone else that we're rehabbing won't be rushed. We need to have patience with him. We've got a plan and a vision for this ballclub and Stephen Strasburg is a big part of it and we're happy at his progress." - D.C. GM Mike Rizzo on Stephen Strasburg to MASNSports.com's Byron Kerr on "The Mike Rizzo Show" on WJFK 106.7 the FAN in D.C.
• In Case You Missed It Watching Fireworks:
• Bryce Harper was promoted to Double-A.
• The Nats beat the Cubs on a walk-off wild pitch..."Happy Werth of July"?
• Tonight: Ross Detwiler vs Ramon Ortiz: 7:05 pm EDT, MASN HD, MLB.tv, 106.7 the FAN in D.C., 1500 WFED, Sirius/XM ch. 187...Who's Watching The Nationals?
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• "'(Big league camp) didn't intimidate him in spring training,' Johnson said. 'The competition level at Double-A is about where he should be.'" - Davey Johnson on Bryce Harper - "Mike Rizzo and Davey Johnson on Bryce Harper's promotion to Harrisburg" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "Harper excelled in taxi squad duty in Scottsdale last season, playing two games a week, contributing an RBI single in the championship game." - "Nationals make sure Harper will be comfortable in Harrisburg" - Byron Kerr, MASNSpors.com
• "'He’s going to be challenged. He needs to be challenged.'" - Davey Johnson on Bryce Harper - "Harrisburg, not Potomac, for Harper" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Harper promoted to AA Harrisburg" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "Derek Norris and Bill Rhinehart each hit a pair of home runs and Brad Peacock won his 10th game, going six innings, allowing a single run and striking out nine batters." -"Bryce Harper goes 2-for-3 with run scored in Double-A debut" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "As Harper plays for Harrisburg, the Nationals want to see him work on his baserunning, basestealing and defense. Rizzo said Harper is a work-in-progress in those areas." - "Nationals promote top prospect Bryce Harper to Double-A Harrisburg" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "A day after getting hit by a pitch in the left wrist, Jayson Werth texted manager Davey Johnson asking him to keep him in the lineup on Sunday." - "Nationals beat Cubs 5-4 as Werth scores on wild pitch" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "In need of a starting pitcher because of their Saturday doubleheader, the Nationals will recall 2007 first round pick Ross Detwiler." - "Ross Detwiler will start Tuesday" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "But a Triple-A season that has been less than exemplary (6-6, 4.53 ERA in 16 starts) forced the Nationals to pass him over for Yunesky Maya the first time they needed a starter." - "Nationals expected to call up Detwiler, option Balester" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'It’s fun to get an RBI and hit home runs and that sort of stuff. But taking a hit away or turning a hard double play is something I love...'" - Danny Espinosa - "SNYDER: Nats' Danny Espinosa a force at bat, in the field" - Deron Snyder, Washington Times
• "'With Morse hurt, I had both (Nix) and Stairs inside take ground balls,' Johnson said. '(Nix) looked like a Gold Glover over there...'" - Davey Johnson on Laynce Nix - "Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?" - Byron Kerr MASNSports.com
• "'In that situation, with one out, I'd rather be on third than on second,' Werth said." - "It was time to make something happen" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "'I'm down to my last man and I didn't want to use Ramos,' Johnson said. 'We have a pretty good bunter in the starting rotation in Hernandez. He came up and gave us a blueprint.'" - "Freedom rings: Nats walk off on wild pitch" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap
• "I did a radio show a couple of years back with a guy who'd come up with a micro-polymer coating for bats that acted like one of those old straw finger puzzles we played with as kids." - "Keep your eye on the ball - and the bat" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• "'With Morse hurt, I had both (Nix) and Stairs inside take ground balls,' Johnson said. '(Nix) looked like a Gold Glover over there...'" - Davey Johnson on Laynce Nix - "Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?" - Byron Kerr MASNSports.com
• "'Of course the game is going to find you when you move to a new spot,' Nix said." - "For Laynce Nix, a first at first base" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Werth took the opportunity to make a gutsy play. As Marmol set for his first pitch, Werth took off." - "Nationals grab wild win over Cubs" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'It's going to be tough, with the big markets out there. It's an opportunity. I hope to represent the Nationals and join Clip.'" - Michael Morse Wants Your Vote - "Michael Morse, Nationals kick off campaign for National League Final Vote" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "And at the end of a day where he'd elicited more boos, Werth showed some of the other reasons the Nationals felt comfortable paying him." - "Still struggling, Werth helps Nationals beat Cubs" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• NATS MINOR LEAGUES:
• Class-A Auburn: "With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the tenth inning in a 5-5 tie, Justin Miller delivered the biggest firework of the night on Independence Day at Falcon Park." - "Justin Miller, Doubledays Walk-Off in 10" - Auburn Doubledays News
• Class-A Hagerstown: "The Suns tallied first with an RBI single from SS Jason Martinson, a looping line drive into left center field in the 3rd inning to plate the single of Sanchez." - "3-2 Triumph for Lakewood over Hagerstown on Fourth of July" - Hagerstown Suns News
• Class-A Potomac: "Adam Olbrychowski made his fourth start for the Nats, and was sharp early. He held the Blue Rocks in check for four innings but ran into a wall in the fifth." - "NATIONALS AND ROCKS SPLIT THE FOURTH" - Potomac Nationals News
• Double-A Harrisburg: "Yesterday, Monday, July 4, on the day Americans celebrate their nation's independence, Bryce Harper celebrated his debut in Double-A ball, playing left field and batting sixth for the Harrisburg Senators." - "Bryce Harper Takes the Next Step, Makes His Double-A Debut" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network w/ photos by Cheryl Nichols
• Double-A Harrisburg: "Harper made his debut with the Senators Monday night against the Erie Seawolves (what is a Seawolf?) and went 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk in a sold out game. Beautiful, just beautiful." - "Harrisburg Harper And The Senators" - Danger Nat, Nationals Inquisition
• Double-A Harrisburg: Harrisburg Senators: Senators Game Highlights 07.04.2011 featuring Bryce Harper, Bill Rhinehart, Derek Norris.
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Syracuse starter Yunesky Maya dealt six scoreless innings with just three hits and looked as if he would continue that dominance in the seventh." - "Brown, Aubrey power Chiefs past Bisons" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• "Former University of Texas star Russell Moldenhauer is doing well at the plate again this season as the Nationals try to find a home for him at first base." - "Prospect Moldenhauer smacks another HR; makes strides at 1B" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• SHARKNATSTOWN:
• "Bernadina respectfully feeds his family first..." - "SHARK VS CUBS" - Sharkadina: Roger Bernadina's Unofficial Blog
• NATSTOWN:
• "Emerging slugger Michael Morse is one of five players named to the National League's Final Vote, where fans can select one additional player to the All-Star roster." - "Nationals Buzz: Could Clippard have a teammate with him in Arizona? You decide!" - Brian Eller, MASNSports.com
• "Trying to focus on the splits that are relevant to evaluating the team’s strengths and weaknesses, here are ten things that I learned..." - "Ten splits" - Nats Noodles
• "Students of presidents race history know better than to bet against Thomas Jefferson on Independence Day." - "Teddy Roosevelt loses his 400th race on Independence Day" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Mets: "Jose Reyes' left hamstring tweak may be the best injury that has ever happened to the Mets. At least for the moment." - "Injury a break for Amazin's in re-sign effort" - Kevin Kernan, NYPOST.com
• Marlins: "You can hear about [Jack] McKeon’s days as the general manager in San Diego, when he earned the nickname "Trader Jack" for his freewheeling ways." - "McKeon’s days in Kansas City are mostly lost to time" - Rustin Dodd, BostonHerald.com
• Marlins: "'It’s always going to be worth it,' Johnson said. 'If I can come back and throw one start, I’m going to try to come back and throw one start.'" - "Marlins’ Josh Johnson wants to return this season" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com
• Phillies: "Worley helped beat the Florida Marlins 1-0. But the Phillies have no room in their rotation for the right-hander over the next 10 days, so after the game he was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley." - "Philadelphia vs. Florida: Worley, Phils beat Marlins 1-0- Recap" - AP/SI.com
• Braves: "Atlanta is a difficult opponent on any night, let alone without a pair of top players and Ubaldo Jimenez (3-8) getting punished for every mistake." - "Rockies lose road opener to Braves; Tulo departs with quad injury" - Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post