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The publication of today's link post was delayed slightly this afternoon to make room on the schedule for the latest edition of Super Awesome Rumor Time, a post in which we collect the latest Washington Nationals-related rumors for those of you who aren't scouring the internet for the latest hard-to-find/believe and often-wrong chatter out there. Today's rumor-filled post dealt with all the talk out there about the Nationals' interest in LA Angels' outfielder Peter Bourjos. The Nats have been tied to the 25-year-old outfielder before, of course, the question now is whether the Angels' situation has changed enough for them to consider dealing an outfielder that they've said in the past they'd part with only if they were overwhelmed by an offer. The prevalence of those rumors on the internet overnight and this morning deserved mention, I suppose, but they shouldn't, however, keep you from having access to all the latest Nats news out there. So, before everyone turns their attention to the Nationals' three-game weeked series with the Reds which starts tonight in Great American Ballpark with Gio Gonzalez on the hill against Strasburg-mocker Mike Leake, here are the latest links from around NatsTown, collected in one place... LINKS and lots of them, RIGHT NOW!!!!
• THE BIG STORY!!!!:
• "I’ve never seen a player enjoy his first 10 games in the big leagues as much as Washington Nationals rookie Bryce Harper, just revel in them, rise to them and gobble each day like he’s waited for it since he was born." - "Bryce Harper makes fans dream as big as he does" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
• Read Up On Bourjos, Nats' Outfielder Search Stuff:
• "The Nationals and Angels have had preliminary discussions about a trade that would send center fielder Peter Bourjos to Washington, major-league sources told FOXSports.com." - "Sources: Nationals, Angels have talked about Bourjos" - Jon Morosi, FOXSports.com
• "Denard Span, CF, Twins - He remains on Washington’s radar, but with Nationals closer Drew Storen on the DL, a deal is on hold for a while." - "Mariano Rivera’s injury throws curve at AL East teams" - Nick Cafardo, Boston.com
• "On the surface, at least, it makes good sense if a proper package could be put together. The Nationals had been looking for a center fielder for a long time." - "Nats, Angels had 'preliminary' talks about Bourjos trade" - Matt Snyder, CBSSports
• "Before the season, the Nationals focused on acquiring a starting center fielder. Some talks centered around Los Angeles Angels outfielder Peter Bourjos." - "Report: Nationals and Angels talking Bourjos" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "Setbacks in both his shoulder and his hamstring have delayed first baseman Chris Marrero’s recovery from the torn hamstring he suffered this winter, Manager Davey Johnson said." - "Chris Marrero suffers setback; injury updates on Chien-Ming Wang and Mark DeRosa" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "[Davey] Johnson went back to the team hotel Wednesday night and stayed up until about 2 a.m. pondering his team’s most recent performance." - "Davey Johnson casts support during Nationals' offensive struggles" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Stephen Strasburg picked the Nationals up last night, putting together yet another quality start - his seventh in as many outings this season - and helping to snap the Nats' three-game skid." - "Nationals Pastime: He's the ace for a reason" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "The sheer numbers blow you away. Thirteen strikeouts in only six innings. Seven in a row. A 1.64 ERA in seven starts this season. A 1.59 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 12 total starts since returning from Tommy John surgery." - "The stopper delivers" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche played two-plus seasons for the Pirates, and received a lot of boos from Pirates fans during the three-game series." - "LaRoche doesn't let boo birds get to him" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• Twitter: CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS): "Stephen strasburg (3-0, 1.64, 51 K's) looks like NL cy young favorite. but what happens if he's kept to 160-inning limit?"
• "Thursday night, the Pirates swung and missed at 20 of his 103 pitches. Starting with Andrew McCutchen to end the first inning, [Stephen] Strasburg struck out seven consecutive batters, matching his longest stretch from his debut." - "Nationals vs. Pirates: Stephen Strasburg strikes out 13 to snap Washington out of slump" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post
• "Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson jokes that he doesn’t like to go near [Stephen] Strasburg in the dugout during his starts, afraid of what the 23-year-old right-hander will do or say if he does." - "Stephen Strasburg helps Nats halt skid with 13-K performance" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "All of a sudden, the Pirates had the tying run at the plate, and the Nationals couldn't help but wonder whether they were about to see history repeat itself." - "Under pressure, H-Rod keeps his cool" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "Mike Leake would like to join his cohorts in the Reds' rotation by earning his first victory of the year. Gio Gonzalez is looking for a victory just to keep up with his teammates." - "Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds - May 11, 2012" - Joey Nowak, MLB.com Preview
• "Last night brought a moment that reminded you [Bryce] Harper is still learning, especially when it comes to flashing his powerful right arm and when to harness it." - "Bryce Harper has a learning moment in the outfield" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "In his six innings on the mound, [Stephen] Strasburg struck out 13 batters and walked three. At one point, he struck out seven straight hitters, which tied a franchise record." - "Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates - May 10, 2012" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap
• "It's been said several times already, but he seems to continue to make it worth repeating: Where would the Nationals be this season without Adam LaRoche?" - "A few thoughts, observations and leftovers as the Nationals head to Cincinnati" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "They range in age from 23 to 28, they all rank among the top 20 hardest-throwing starters in the National League, and together they've compiled a staff ERA worthy of the dead-ball era." - "Nationals' rotation has everything under control" - Anthony Castrovince, nationals.com: News
• "Stephen Strasburg struck out 13 batters over six innings, coming up one K shy of his career high (set in his big-league debut against Pittsburgh)." - "Instant analysis: Nats 4, Pirates 2" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• In his rookie season last year, Wilson Ramos cemented himself as the Nationals’ catcher of the future, 'our backstop for the next 10 years,' General Manager Mike Rizzo said." - "Is Wilson Ramos regressing on defense?" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Nothing was going to stop Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond from becoming a baseball player. His mother, Pattie Paradise, made sure of that." - "Mom's example helped inspire Nationals' Ian Desmond" - Bill Ladson, Nationals.com: News
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Patience guards us against losing our presence of mind so we can remain undisturbed, even when the situation is really difficult."
• NATS MINORS:
• "This season, after a short stay with Harrisburg, [Patrick] Lehman was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse. But in his time with the Senators, Lehman made a huge impression on his teammates." - "Lehman's work ethic "rubbed off" on Harrisburg hurlers" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Class-A Hagerstown: "Suns starting pitcher Nathan Karns struck out eight batters over four innings in his first start of the season, allowing two runs on four hits and ending up with a no-decision." - "Legends Rally Late to Foil Suns 6-3" - Hagerstown Suns News
• Class-A Potomac: "Kevin Keyes had a part in all five runs for the Nationals and the bullpen dominated with four scoreless innings to preserve the victory." - "Keyes, Bullpen Beat Salem 5-2" - Potomac Nationals News
• Double-A Harrisburg: Aeros 7, Senators 0 - Destin Hood - 2 for 4; Jeff Mandel - 3.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K's, 1 HR - Harrisburg Senators Scoreboard
• Triple-A Syracuse: "While home runs from the sixth, seventh, and eighth-placed hitters lifted Syracuse offensively, starter Yunesky Maya gave the Chiefs their fourth strong start in a row." - "Chiefs use long ball to take series" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Line of the Day: Yunesky Maya, SP - 7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2.98 season ERA, 2-4 record. In seven starts this season, Maya has allowed 14 earned runs. Ten of those came in two starts." - "Three homers pace Chiefs in win over Durham" - Ben Meyers, The Auburn Citizen
• "Good, Bad, Interesting – Vol. 4" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "[Danny] Espinosa and his strikeout-laden bat have been hurting the team long enough. Espinosa whiffed a team-high 39 times in his first 29 games, tied for most in the National League going into Thursday night's game." - "Lombardozzi needs more time at second base" - Nationals Buzz: Marty Niland, MASNSports.com
• "Apparently there could be a number of reasons to explain [Cole Hamels'] visceral reaction to [Bryce] Harper, including a propensity toward arrogance. But could the kid’s facial hair have anything to do with it?" - "The Body Odd - Sorry, guys: We judge you by your facial hair" - Brian Alexander, MSNBC.com
• "According to a story on MSNBC.com, Cole Hamels hitting Bryce Harper with a pitch may have had something to do with Harper’s facial hair." - "MSNBC: Bryce Harper hit by pitch because of his beard" - Sarah Kogod, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post
• "Stephen Strasburg put the team on his back last night, pitching them to their first win in three games, and their first road win since April 25." - "Stephen Strasburg Cuts The Losing Streak, Strikeouts Out 13" - William Yoder, The Nats Blog
• "Buc Commander: Apparently when Adam LaRoche isn't killing deer (see video), he kills baseballs. Where would this team be without LaRoche?" - "Welcome to Strasburgh..." - Nats Enquirer
• "Last night Stephen Strasburg struck out 13 batters in just six innings to lead the Nats to a 4-2 win and avoid the sweep against the Pirates." - "Strasburg Shines Again" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy
• "The Washington Nationals ended a three-game losing streak, avoiding a sweep by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the process, as Stephen Strasburg struck out 13 and the Nats pounded three home runs en route to a 4-2 victory before 15,381 at PNC Park." - "Washington Nationals Game 31 Review: Strasburg Ks 13 in 4-2 win over Bucs" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page
• "The story hasn't changed much. Nats pitching does well giving up 11 runs (9 earned) in 3 games. The offense stinks scoring 10 runs (9 earned) in 3 games." - "Salvaging a series and a possibly good weekend" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• Updated Map of "Shark Chants Across the Nation" - "Pittsburgh Shark Chants" - Sharkadina
• "I have asked Cathie from Church of Baseball to answer some questions. She's a Reds fan by birth, Nats fan by religion..." - "Nats vs. Reds Q&A and prediction with Church of Baseball" - William F. Yurasko, William World News
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Mets: "On May 11, 1972, the Mets sent pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000 in cash to the San Francisco Giants for Willie Mays." - "This Date In Mets History: May 11 — Mets Trade For Willie Mays, Bobby Joneses Square Off" - Eric Simon, Amazin' Avenue
• Braves: "Rosemary Freeman never had the opportunity to hug her youngest son as he progressed through those rough adolescent years or celebrate as he became one of baseball's top prospects." - "Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman's late mother always in his thoughts" - Mark Bowman, braves.com: News
• Marlins: "'He’s 100 percent better than what I thought,' manager Ozzie Guillen said Tuesday of [Hanley] Ramirez’s play at third." - "Miami Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez has settled in at third, but hitting is subpar" - Manny Navarro, Miami Marlins - MiamiHerald.com
• Phillies: "Perhaps no publication has had an editorial stance of being more distraught and mystified by Charlie Manuel’s bullpen usage than this one." - "An Explanation for the Phillies’ Recent Bullpen Silliness" - Michael Baumann, Crashburn Alley