• Programming Notes: The Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves play the third game of the Nats' three-game visit to Turner Field at 7:05 pm EDT in ATL. Chien-Ming Wang gave up seven hits and six runs (two earned) in 5.0 IP against Atlanta in his second start this season back on August 3rd. Tim Hudson hasn't faced the Nats since July 15th when he held the Nationals to one run on seven hits in an 11-1 win over Washington. The Nats homered their way to a win in game one and the Braves had Lowe hold the Nationals at bay last night...Well, everyone but Michael Morse that is... Morse cannot be stopped. MASN HD, MLB Network, MLB.tv, 106.7 the FAN in D.C., 1500 WFED, Sirius/XM channel 184. Who's Watching the Nationals? And Who's Watching Strasburg's 6th Rehab start? 7:05 pm EDT in Harrisburg, you'll need MiLB.tv...
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• NATS BEAT:
• "In the next few years they will become the team to beat in the East; they are young; loaded with talent and with great young pitching." - Ted Leonsis -"Leonsis: Nats will be team to beat in NL East" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post
• "When the Nationals signed Werth this offseason, General Manager Mike Rizzo touted Werth’s ability to play center as one reason for the acquisition." - "Jayson Werth, Michael Morse form what could be a lasting outfield combination" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Ramos believes he contracted the food poisoning on Monday night after eating shrimp and French fries, though it wasn't until Tuesday morning that he started to feel ill." - "Ramos remains sidelined with food poisoning" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Following a third inning that featured both Lowe’s homer and an RBI-single from Dan Uggla — and coming after Chipper Jones’ 450th career home run in the second — Lannan was nearly unhittable." - "Nationals can't help Lannan top Braves" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'I feel great, and I feel strong. I wish I could keep going,' he said.'I know there is a process where you don't want to pitch too much.'" - "Though done playing, Zimmermann with the Nats" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Once again, John Lannan did some of his best work against the Atlanta Braves. And once again, the Nationals couldn't make it count for much." - "Nationals waste Lannan's strong night in loss to Braves" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "Milone will lead the way, and start Saturday, but he'll be joined quickly by right-hander Brad Peacock and infielder Steve Lombardozzi is all but sure to follow." - "Call-ups, Morse in left and other pre-game notes" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Here’s a quick rundown of likely additions aside from Milone and Chris Marrero..." - "A primer on the Nationals’ likely September call-ups" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "He can still throw it over the plate, he can still trick a hitter with his breaking ball, he can still field his position, he can still handle the bat, and he can still give you 200 innings." - "Livan's engine keeps cranking" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• "For most of the game, Lowe hit the outside corner for strikes. Manager Davey Johnson was not happy that his hitters weren't aggressive at the plate -- Lowe got called third strikes four times." - "Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves: Nationals, Lannan out-homered by Braves" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap
• "The Senators now need to win one of their remaining five games -- and Stephen Strasburg and Ivan Rodriguez start for them Thursday night..." - "Double-A Harrisburg, Single-A Potomac clinch playoff berths" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "In 14 starts against the Braves, Lannan is 8-4 with a 3.31 ERA and has allowed just three home runs. By contrast, he’s given up 17 to the Phillies." - "Lannan's struggles versus Phillies balanced by dominance of Braves" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "[Derek] Lowe may have deserved as much credit Wednesday as the Nationals’ hitters deserved scorn." - "Nationals vs. Braves: Derek Lowe sends Washington’s offense back to its meager norm" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post
• "On Wednesday the National League Wild Card leaders acquired outfielder Matt Diaz from the Pirates and infielder Jack Wilson from Seattle..." - "Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves: Re-stocked Braves send Hudson to face Nats" - Jesse Sanchez, MLB.com Preview
• "All eyes will be on Milone and Peacock as potential 2012 rotation candidates, as well as Lombardozzi -- a Maryland native -- and how he fits in in the infield." - "The call-ups are coming, the call-ups are coming: Sept. 1 has arrived" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Strasburg will have rehab company tonight in Ivan Rodriguez, who will be making his third rehab appearance..." - "Class AA Harrisburg and Class A Potomac make the playoffs, and Stephen Strasburg can clinch the division" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Happiness comes through taming the mind; without taming the mind there is no way to be happy." -
• NATS MINOR LEAGUES:
• Class-A Auburn: Matthew Skole - 2 for 5, 2 2B; Nathan Karns - 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's - Auburn Doubledays Scoreboard
• Class-A Potomac: Zach Walters - 2 for 4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB; Adam Olbrychowski - 7.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K's - Potomac Nationals Scoreboard
• "The Single-A Potomac Nationals downed the Lynchburg Hillcats 6-3 to advance to the playoffs again and a chance to defend their 2010 Mills Cup Carolina League crown." - "Potomac into the playoffs again with another win over Lynchburg" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Double-A Harrisburg: "Erik Arnesen started and went seven strong innings for the Sens, allowing just a an unearned run while striking out nine batters." - "Senators Win 2-1 and Clinch Playoff Spot" - Harrisburg Senators News
• "The Double-A Harrisburg Senators edged Portland 2-1 to clinch at least a tie atop their division over Richmond." - "Harrisburg clinches playoff berth after dropping Portland" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Right-hander Brad Meyers capped a stellar August with the win, finishing the month 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in six starts." - "Chiefs edge Bisons for 4th straight win" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• "Thursday’s News & Notes" - NationalsProspects.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "Not only did Derek Lowe of the Atlanta Braves hit his first career round-tripper, a line drive over the left field wall on a 3-2 pitch, but he threw six strong innings..." - "GAME 134 REVIEW: Nats on the Down Lowe; Fall to Braves 3-1" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network
• "Since 2008 there are 11 pitchers currently season-age 27 or younger that have pitched at least 690 innings with an ERA <4.00." - "Fun with arbitrary cut-offs" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "Rotation #27 marks the final time we’ll see Jordan Zimmermann starting this year." - "Nats Rotation Cycle #27: good/bad/soso" - Nationals Arm Race
• "It might be time to start recognizing that after 50-60% of the season completely wasted with the bat, Jayson Werth might be back." - "Is Werth Back?" - Charlie, The Nationals Review
• "Some critics have said that Milone is a second coming of John Lannan. A weak tossing southpaw who pitches to contact and despite all odds manages to get out of innings..." - "Stephen Strasburg's Upcoming Start May Be The Most Anticipated, But Tom Milone's Will Be The Most Intriguing" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog
• "Regardless of what we call it, ticket prices are apparently soaring for Tuesday, Sept. 6, with good reason." - "Strastember is almost here." - Nats Enquirer
• "Give credit to the Nationals’ racing presidents. These guys get around." - "Racing presidents invade Canada, visit Buffalo tonight" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Marlins: "The Marlins are awaiting the results of an MRI that was performed on Hanley Ramirez’s injured left shoulder on Wednesday..." - "Florida Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez has MRI; return still uncertain" - Clark Spencer, Miami Herald
• Mets: "Wright lightheartedly noted he had 'almost 800 feet worth of double' in the game." - "Wright: '800 feet worth of doubles'" - Adam Rubin, Mets Blog - ESPN New York
• Phillies: "Lee came within one out – one strike, really – of his sixth shutout of the season as the Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds..." - "Lee dazzles Reds in Phillies’ 19th shutout win" - Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com