Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Take Two Of Three From D-Backs, Welcome Philadelphia Phillies To D.C.

• Take Back The Park! Take Back The Park? The Washington Nationals, fresh off taking two of three from the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, welcome their NL East rivals from Philadelphia to Nationals Park tonight for the first game of a three-game set which ends Sunday night on ESPN. Stephen Strasburg looks to improve to (3-0) on the year after receiving no decision in his last two starts in spite of the fact that the 23-year-old right-hander (on the way to earning NL Pitcher of the Week honors) has given up just one earned run in his last 13.0 innings of work. The Nationals took the last two of three from Arizona to improve to 16-9 on the year. The Phillies just took two of three from the Braves to improve to 13-13. Can the Nationals beat their NL East rivals and quiet whatever Philly fans manage to make it into Nats Park? Natitude Weekend starts tonight. The LINKS start...RIGHT NOW!!!!

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "Our Park. The Series. That was the only message being advertised Wednesday as the Washington Nationals took batting practice in their home ballpark along the Anacostia River." - "With Phillies in town, Nationals get long-awaited chance" - Bob Brookover, Philadelphia Inquirer

• NATS HARPER BEAT:

• "'I want to win every single game,' Harper said. 'I’m going to try to come up as clutch as I can in those situations.'" - "Nationals vs. Diamondbacks: Bryce Harper drives in winning run" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "He is focused. I think he is where he needs to be. The Minor Leagues are tougher than people realize. I like him here, with the right coaches, the right manager, the right teammates." - Jayson Werth on Bryce Harper - "Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals - May 3, 2012" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap

• "Facing a tough right-hander in Ian Kennedy (a 21-game winner last year) with one out in a tie ballgame and the infield drawn in, [Bryce] Harper avoided the temptation to swing from his heels and drive the ball over the Anacostia River." - "Instinctive Harper leads Nats again" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "In beating the Diamondbacks twice in three games, the Nationals (16-9) solidified their hold on first place in the National League East." - "Harper puts things back in order for Nationals" - Kevin Dunleavy, Washington Examiner

• "'He is a baseball player,' [Jayson] Werth said. 'When you are baseball player, you can be 15 or you could be 50. If you know how to play the game, you can play it.'" - Werth on Harper - "Harper does it again, going opposite field and guiding Nats past D-backs" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "It took [Bryce] Harper all of four games to convince manager Davey Johnson to not only move him up in the batting order but to hit him third." - "Bryce Harper's move to No. 3 spot pays immediate dividends in Nats' win" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "The Washington debut of the Strasburg-Harper duo could scarcely come at a more interesting time." - "Washington Nationals attendance lags — so far — despite Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg" - Barry Svrluga, The Washington Post

• ""When a youngster – and to me he’s a youngster -- pitches that good a ball game, I don’t want there to be any chance that he gets beat,' [Davey] Johnson said." - "Detwiler demonstrates Nats pitching depth" - Kevin Dunleavy, Washington Examiner

• "'Why not?' said manager Davey Johnson after he was asked why he decided to put [Bryce] Harper in the middle of the order. "He is swinging the bat well. He has had quality at-bats." - "Harper slides up to third in batting order" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "There was a glimmer in Bryce Harper's eye, a half-smile, perhaps, on his face. It was the ninth inning. The game was on the line. A nasty closer was on the mound." - "Quick rise of Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper reminds of Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton, others" - Nick Piecoro, AZCentral.com

• "The first time Bryce Harper took a look at the lineup card Thursday morning, one of the Nationals' coaches stood nearby watching. Harper's eyes widened when he saw his own name, hitting third." - "How Bryce Harper came to hit third on Thursday" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "'I don’t really have any words for it,' [Bryce] Harper said. 'It’s just another spot in the lineup. Just try to take the same approach.'" - "Bryce Harper batting third: ‘Why not?’" - James Wagner, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Enemies teach us inner strength, courage and determination."

• NATS BEAT:

• "[Ross] Detwiler went 6 1/3 innings, giving up just one run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He didn't allow a runner to reach scoring position until the sixth inning..." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats swiftly dispose of D-backs in 2-1 win" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Technically speaking, Detwiler is a No. 5 starter, but that's in name only. There's no other No. 5 starter in baseball pitching the way the left-hander is right now." - "Instant analysis: Nats 2, D'backs 1" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "The NL East-leading Nationals took two of three from Arizona and have won five of their six series this season." - "Harper helps Nationals beat Diamondbacks 2-1" - AP/WTOP.com

• "[Adam] LaRoche hurt the oblique diving for a ground ball against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, and started feeling pain during the latter part of that game." - "LaRoche scratched with oblique soreness" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "With [Danny] Espinosa going through 0-for-17 slump, [Davey] Johnson keeps him in the lineup, handing him a bat every day as if to say, 'Go get them!'" - "Danny Espinosa adjusting to new set of challenges" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "[Adam] LaRoche did not have an MRI and the Nationals' training staff assured LaRoche that it is 'not a severe tear/strain/whatever you want to call it,' he said." - "Adam LaRoche expected to miss at least a few days with right oblique soreness" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "After Tuesday’s game, an 0 for 4 night for Danny Espinosa, his neighboring lockermate, shortstop Ian Desmond, offered a few words." - "Nationals’ Danny Espinosa was worried about being sent down" - James Wagner, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "Tonight's outing represented the deepest into a game that Detwiler has gone all season, which was nice, considering it followed his only loss yet this year..." - "Nationals Pastime: Detwiler continues to make Nats' brass look smart" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "'That's why I'm not going to sit here and say I'm the guy that thinks I'm invincible and they're not going to ever send me down.'" - Danny Espinosa - "Espinosa overcomes fear of demotion" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "Entering Thursday's action, Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa found himself in a 5-for-38 slump (.132) over his last 10 games." - "Espinosa looking to regain early form" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "When the teams meet Friday for the first time this season, the Washington Nationals hope to establish new house rules." - "Washington Nationals, and their fans, can make statements this weekend" - Jason Reid, The Washington Post

• "The only lingering effect from Strasburg's Tommy John surgery in 2010 seems to be on manager Davey Johnson's approach to how to use his 23-year-old ace most effectively." - "Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals - May 4, 2012" - Paul Casella, MLB.com Preview

• "If it's just soreness of the oblique, [Adam] LaRoche could return sooner rather than later. A strained or torn oblique, however, can require an extended rest period..." - "Nationals Pastime: LaRoche, Wang updates plus final clubhouse quotes" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "[Adam] LaRoche has not recently dealt with any oblique issue, but he has battled constant injuries since he signed a two-year contract with the Nationals last winter." - "Adam LaRoche scratched from tonight’s Nationals lineup" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "The Nationals aren't putting any official timetable on LaRoche's return, but Davey Johnson said he 'might be down 2-3 days.'" - "LaRoche out with oblique strain" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "'They’re all the same to me. They all count,' [Davey] Johnson said. 'But it’s division and it’s the perennial best team in the league. And it’s how you stack up." - "Phillies series sets up well for Nats" - Kevin Dunleavy, Washington Examiner

• NATS MINORS:

• Class-A Hagerstown: Suns 9, Braves 3 - Steven Souza - 2 for 5, 1 HR, 2 RBI's; Brian Dupra - 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 K's - Hagerstown Suns Scoreboard

• Class-A Potomac: "20-year old LHP Robbie Ray made his Carolina League debut for the Nationals. After retiring the first seven batters of the game including four via the strikeout, Ray ran into trouble in the third." - "Keye Hit: Nationals Win 6-5" - Potomac Nationals News

• Double-A Harrisburg: Senators 5, Rock Cats 4 - Destin Hood - 2 for 4, 1 2B; Paul Demny - 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K's - Harrisburg Senators Scoreboard

• "Mark Teahen, 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI. The guy keeps coming through in big spots." - "Papercuts take down Chiefs on the road" - Ben Meyers, The Auburn Citizen

• Triple-A Syracuse: "Syracuse rallied in the top of the ninth with a run, but Fernando Cabrera struck out Brett Carroll with runners on second and third." - "Bisons score late to edge Chiefs, 6-5" - Syracuse Chiefs News

• "Thursday Afternoon In Woodbridge" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN:

• "The Washington Nationals formula for success has been consistent so far this season: strong pitching and timely hitting leading to wins. Last night was no different... " - "Washington Nationals Game 25 Review: Detwiler strong, Harper clutch in 2-1 win over Diamondbacks" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• "Who needs offense? Ross Detwiler shines, Mattheus, Clippard, and H-Rod hold on." - "Det Limit" - Nats Enquirer

• "Racing Mark Grace may have never won the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Legends Race, but at least he can now claim a victory in the Washington Nationals presidents race." - "Lincoln wins one for Mark Grace." - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!

• "It started in February, when tickets to this series went on presale only to those with a local mailing address." - "Nationals Buzz: Marty Niland: Our park? We'll see" - Marty Niland, MASNSports.com

• "In the battle of Snake vs Shark, Shark wins. LET SHARK PLAY!" - "SHARK VS DIAMONDBACKS" - Sharkadina

• "I didn't really care to talk about attendance (despite the fact that I really am fascinated by it) but the comments I see out there seem pretty one sided to me." - "Quick thoughts on attendance" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• "DC Mayor Vincent Gray declared this weekend to be Natitude Weekend (DC Sports Bog, The Post). I’ve always taken #natitude as tongue and cheek marketing." - "Natitude Weekend? Um, okay and the attendance issue is overblown" - William F. Yurasko, William World News

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Marlins: "'A win is a win, especially the way we'd been playing. We'll take every win,' Guillen said, referring to his team's 1-3 homestand in Miami..." - "Miami Marlins eke out another 3-2 victory, sweep San Francisco Giants" - Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post

• Mets: "'Aside from Matt [Harvey] himself -- and I love that he thinks this way -- there is no one in the organization who feels he is ready to be in the major leagues,' [Sandy] Alderson told the Daily News on Thursday." - "Alderson on Harvey: He's just not ready yet" - Andy Martino, New York Daily News

• Braves: "Freddie Freeman has a .438 career average (14-for-32) with three doubles and a whopping six homers, 11 RBIs and 1.094 slugging percentage in eight games against the Rockies." - "Series preview: Braves at Rockies | Atlanta Braves" - David O'Brien, Atlanta Journal-Constitution