Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Promote Anthony Rendon To Double-A Harrisburg.

• When the Washington Nationals drafted Rice University third baseman Anthony Rendon with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 Draft, Nats' GM Mike Rizzo told reporters that the infielder considered the best hitter in the draft, who fell to sixth overall due to concerns about a shoulder injury, was a, "very polished, accomplished college hitter," and, "... a terrificly polished college player," that he thought would, "... be a quick-to-the-big-leagues guy as far as the normal course of a drafted player." A partial fracture of his left ankle sustained two games into his first pro season set Rendon's development back some, but after just nine games total at Class-A Potomac this year, the Nationals have, as reported by MASN's Byron Kerr, promoted the 22-year-old infielder to Double-A Harrisburg. In 22 games and 78 PA's this year at several levels of the Nats' system, Rendon has a .308/.423/.615 line with five doubles, three triples and three home runs. The Arizona Fall League is a likely next stop for Rendon, who impressed in big league Spring Training this year. More links and info on Rendon below and lots of links about Jayson Werth's ankle and Michael Morse's thumb. LINKS and lots of them... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!:

• "A Nationals source has confirmed that third baseman Anthony Rendon has been promoted from high Single-A Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg." - "Rendon promoted to Double-A Harrisburg" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• NATS BEAT:

• "If not for the injury, as the Nationals go into the stretch run in a pennant race, Rendon may have been a September call-up." - "Nationals promote 2011 first-round pick Anthony Rendon to Double-A" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "The Nationals promoted top infield prospect Anthony Rendon to Class AA Harrisburg this morning, ending a short stay at Class A Potomac." - "Anthony Rendon promoted to Class AA Harrisburg" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "Maybe it's time to start using that designation on another aspect of this organization: The Nationals have one of the best lineups in baseball." - "Potent lineup deserves praise" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "Since returning from a broken wrist August 2, Werth has hit .400 with five RBIs, seven walks and a .500 on-base percentage in 11 games." - "Nationals Pastime: Werth scratched due to right ankle soreness" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "With the bullpen's performance slowly degrading during the second half, is this a sign that the Nats saved their starters at the expense of their relievers?" - "Nationals looking for some relief?" - Brian McNally, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "In the two clubs' four meetings this season, the Nationals have lit up Giants pitching for a combined 38 runs, winning all four games." - "Washington Nationals at San Francisco Giants - August 14, 2012" - Tyler Emerick, MLB.com Preview

• "They expected him to miss five weeks. But now, about three weeks later, [Ian] Desmond is swinging without pain and is no longer feeling soreness in his oblique." - "Ian Desmond may return sooner than expected" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "The Nationals lost for the first time in a week on Sunday. On Monday night they beat the first-place San Francisco Giants 14-2 to hand them their worst defeat of the season." - "The Nationals beat the Giants and continue to roll in charmed season" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Then the Nationals rolled into San Francisco and put up an eight-spot on Vogelsong, knocking the Giants starter out of the game after just 2 2/3 innings." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats smack around one of baseball's top pitchers (Nats win 14-2)" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

•"The Nationals have now outscored opponents by 108 runs this season, the best run differential in the majors." - "Nationals vs. Giants: Gio Gonzalez and Washington make quick work of San Francisco" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• "'At this time of year,' [Davey] Johnson said, 'you even go further out about how you want the pitching to line up coming down that last month.'" - "Nationals' Johnson considering altering rotation to split lefties, set up for big series" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Jayson Werth sat out of Monday's series opener against the Giants at AT&T Park due to a sore right ankle, and he will undergo a 'precautionary' MRI on Tuesday morning." - "Sore ankle scratches Werth from Nats' lineup" - Adam Berry, nationals.com: News

• "Jayson Werth wore a bulky walking boot on his sore right ankle as he walked out of AT&T Park on Monday night..." - "Jayson Werth going for MRI exam, hopes to play Tuesday" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "Are the 2012 Washington Nationals better than the 1994 Montreal Expos?" - "2012 Nationals are best team in franchise history" - Thom Loverro, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "[Ian] Desmond, on the disabled list since July 22 with a torn left oblique, went through his first full pregame workout with the Nationals on Monday at AT&T Park." - "Desmond's rehab keeps chugging along" - Adam Berry, nationals.com: News

• "Not much went wrong for the Nationals last night in their 14-2 win, outside of Jayson Werth being scratched because of right ankle soreness and Michael Morse leaving the game with a right thumb injury." - "Nationals Pastime: That's what you call a beatdown" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The Washington Nationals' 11th win in their last 13 games arrived with some bitter news Monday night." - "Jayson Werth will get MRI on ankle, Morse OK after jammed thumb" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "[Jesus] Flores just wore down from playing everyday. His bat died. He and his pitchers couldn't stop the running game." - "Ask Boswell: All things Washington sports" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post

• "[Davey] Johnson said he would like to switch up the order of his rotation because it allows him to better organize his bullpen, specifically his long relievers." - "Nationals could adjust rotation after off-day" - Adam Berry, nationals.com: News

• "The Nationals know that any let up can lead to disaster. They have blown a nine-run lead this year." - "The Nationals don’t let up, and Davey Johnson won’t let them" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

• "Kurt [Suzuki] holed up in a hotel. He met new teammates and learned new pitchers. He became acquainted with new coaches and signs..." - "New Nationals catcher Suzuki, family adjust to being relocated across the country" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Not much went wrong for the Nationals last night in their 14-2 win, outside of Jayson Werth being scratched because of right ankle soreness and Michael Morse leaving the game with a right thumb injury." - "Nationals Pastime: That's what you call a beatdown" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "'[Ryan Vogelsong's] a good pitcher. You don't put up the numbers that he's put up this year without being good,' third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said." - "Washington Nationals at San Francisco Giants - August 13, 2012" - Adam Berry, MLB.com WSH Recap

• NATSMINORS:

• Class-A Hagerstown: Suns 5, Crawdads 1 - Bryce Ortega - 2 for 4, 1 3B, 2 RBIs; Taylor Jordan - 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks - Hagerstown Suns Scoreboard

• Class-A Potomac: Blue Rocks 4, P-Nats 3 - Anthony Rendon - 2 for 4, 1 R; Nathan Karns - 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 10 Ks - Potomac Nationals Scoreboard

• "Right-hander Alex Meyer was bumped to high Single-A Potomac on July 20 and has become even more consistent than he was at low Single-A Hagerstown." - "Prospect Meyer building on consistent starts at Potomac" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• Triple-A Syracuse: "Over his six and one-third innings, [John] Lannan allowed just three Yankee hits and three earned runs, but he was still saddled with his 11th loss of the season." - "Chiefs fall to Yankees in series finale" - Syracuse Chiefs News

• Triple-A Syracuse: "Line of the Day: Sandy Leon, C - 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, RBI - The much traveled catcher hit his first home run of the Triple-A season with a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth." - "Lannan takes another loss with Chiefs" - Ben Meyers, The Auburn Citizen

• "Anthony Rendon Promoted To Harrisburg" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN:

• "To me, I know Strasburg wants the ball. There’s no doubt about it. But the day will come and everybody’s gonna be waiting for that day, because I don’t think it is. They’re gonna have to pitch him." - Dennis Eckersley - "Dennis Eckersley says Nats will have to pitch Strasburg" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post

• "August 14, 1908 - Walter Johnson fires a 2 hitter over Chicago, 1-0. Johnson’s no hit bid is foiled by Pale Hose P Doc White in the top of the 9th." - "This Date in Washington Senators History – The Babe gets the win over The Big Train" - Art Audley, D.C. Baseball History

• "Go ahead, watch this thing; we dare you to try watch this without smiling." - "Gio Gonzalez suggests a bullet-proof vest when approaching Stephen Strasburg during a start" - Nats Enquirer

• "The Washington Nationals have been in their fair share of nail-biters this season. Last night’s game against the San Francisco Giants was nothing of the sort." - "Washington Nationals Game 116 Review: Nats pound out 21 hits in 14-2 rout of Giants" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• "Spotlight on Zach Duke" - Joseph Michelizzi, Positive Mental Natitude

• "I say 'situation' and not 'question' because there likely is no question. Rizzo wants to shut him down. He will be shut down." - "The Strasburg situation" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• "Shut down Stephen Strasburg, or just let him pitch? - ESPN" - traderkirk, Bang! Zoom!

• "Sharks were spotted in McCovey Cove last year and they are circling once again as the Nats look to increase their lead in the NL East over the Atlanta Braves." - "Sharkzilla invades San Francisco" - Sharkadina

• "N.L. East Stretch Run Outlook And Prediction" - beltwayboy sports, Fanspeak MLB Blog

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Braves: "The Braves open a four-game series against the Padres, a team they haven’t faced all season. Weird, isn’t it?" - "Advancing Padres series, Braves schedule rest of the way" - Carroll Rogers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• Mets: "After avoiding the topic of his contract for most of the summer, the Mets third baseman told The Post he is 'optimistic' he will remain long-term with the only organization for which he has played..." - "David Wright of New York Mets, possible free agent after 2013 season, wants to remain with team, but also wants opportunity to win World Series" - Mike Puma, NYPOST.com

• Marlins: "But as far as the last-place Marlins are concerned, it might just as well be March. It might as well be spring training..." - "Miami Marlins’ Nathan Eovaldi struggles in loss to Phillies" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com

• Phillies: "As the quest to avoid last place commenced with a 4-0 victory over the Miami Marlins, Manuel used an outfield that could become the regular combination with 47 games to play..." - "Cole Hamels pitches shutout in Phillies' 4-0 win over Miami Marlins" - Matt Gelb, Philadelphia Inquirer