• Three: In spite of a slow start to the series finale, Gio Gonzalez kept fighting and helped lead the Washington Nationals as they took two of three on the road in Citizens Bank Park with last night's win over the Philadelphia Phillies. After the game, Nats' skipper Davey Johnson reiterated that his team will be going full-steam until they wrap up the division. "I don't care if it's a save situation or whatever," Johnson said, "We're putting our best foot forward. I told the guys, 'We got three more we got to win, and so unless you can't go, tell me you can't go." When the Nats' skipper was asked last week which player he'd like to see get straightened out as the regular season wore down, Johnson pointed to Michael Morse. "I'd like Morse to get healthy," Johnson said, "I mean, he was a big guy in the lineup last year and hasn't really been fully healthy all year."
Morse had a huge game at the plate in last night's win, as he hit two home runs, including one that traveled 451 ft into the visitor's bullpen beyond the center field wall in Citizens Bank Park. "Morse said he was going to come back and hit 20 before the end of the year," Johnson told reporters after the game, "He said he feels healthy and he showed it tonight. He swung the heck out of the bat. He's a big cog in there." Asked if he's seen Morse's resurgence coming, the Nationals' manager explained that there have been signs. "Two batting practices ago he started feeling real good and frisky and started getting the head out," Johnson told reporters, "And he's been pulling the ball more, which tells me he's healthy. That ball he hit to right-center was just flat-out crushed." With the win in Philly, the Nats are three wins from clinching the NL East [unless they get some help]. "I always assume... take nothing for granted," Johnson said, "And if we win three more we're in. We win the pennant." Game one of three in St. Louis starts at 8:15 pm EDT tonight. Until then, links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!:
• THE BIG STORY!!!:
• "Drew is set for his second offering to [Hanley] Ramirez. Ramirez struck out on a hard fastball away in his last appearance against Drew, and he looks to be sitting fastball." - "Drew Storen's father on the agonizing and amazing feeling of watching his son" - Mark Patrick, SI.com
• NATS BEAT:
• "Pitching coach Steve McCatty told [Davey] Johnson that [Gio] Gonzalez had only needed 13 pitches in the bullpen before he felt like he was ready." - "How Gio Gonzalez salvaged his start in the Nationals' win" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "But as the final week of the regular season arrives, the Nationals have yet to celebrate anything, aside from the fact they're guaranteed to play at least one playoff game in October." - "Nats getting close, but not quite there yet" - Mark Zuckerman, CSNWashington.com
• "The earliest the Nationals can now clinch the division is Saturday. You won't find anyone in the clubhouse looking past tonight's game..." - "Nationals Pastime: Perfect timing for a return to form" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "[Gio] Gonzalez (21-8) settled down after a shaky start and lasted six innings, allowing three runs and six hits." - "Three is Nationals' magic number" - Rob Maaddi, WashingtonExaminer.com
• "The Nats have realized they can't count on Atlanta to lose -- the Braves have won 10 of 12 after sweeping the Marlins -- but just three more wins can seal the deal." - "Nationals' Path to the Postseason: Sept. 28, 2012" - Joey Nowak, nationals.com: News
• Bo Porter Section:
• "The Astros likely were motivated to act quickly to hire [Bo] Porter, who has drawn significant managerial interest, having interviewed for openings with the Nationals, Marlins and Pirates in the past." - "Astros officially hire Bo Porter as their manager" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post
• "[Bo] Porter, the Washington Nationals’ third-base coach, was named manager of the Houston Astros on Thursday, accomplishing a career goal and, making it that much sweeter, getting to move home to do it." - "Bo Porter heading home to manage Astros" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'Right now,' Porter said, 'all I really want for Christmas is one thing: a World Series ring.'" - "Porter's focus remains with Nats" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "Bo Porter is not from Houston. He grew up in Newark, N.J., and played college football and baseball at Iowa." - "Nationals' Porter hired as Astros' manager" - Brian McNally, WashingtonExaminer.com
• "'This is the last time in which I will talk about this topic. My focus is on the Washington Nationals and our quest to win the World Series title,' [Bo] Porter said." - "Nats coach Bo Porter named Astros' manager" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Mike Rizzo on why he allowed Porter to interview and accept a job with another organization while under contract with the Nationals: 'It's the fair thing to do. I would never stand in anybody's way to get the dream job of their life...'" - "Davey Johnson, Bo Porter & Mike Rizzo discuss Porter's hiring by the Astros" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "The Nationals will lose their third base coach after this season, and Bo Porter may not be the last member of the staff to leave." - "Bo Porter won’t let Astros manager job distract him from the Nationals’ playoff run" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post
• Back to the Beat:
• "'When you play in Los Angeles, you meet movie stars,' Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth says. 'When you're playing in Washington, you meet people that run the world.'" - "Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell among DC bigwigs rooting for Nationals" - Mel Antonen - SI.com
• "It's been a frustrating season for [Michael] Morse, who has battled serious injuries and nagging injuries and hasn't been able to produce as much as he would have liked." - "Instant analysis: Nats 7, Phillies 3" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "[Gio] Gonzalez picked up his 21st win of the season, best in the major leagues, despite a very shaky start." - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson discusses Nats' 7-3 win" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "Gio Gonzalez became the first 21-game winner in the majors, Michael Morse hit two homers and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3..." - "Gonzalez wins 21st, Nationals beat Phillies 7-3" - Rob Maaddi, AP/WTOP.com
• "The Nationals were able to win the game thanks to two home runs by Michael Morse, who drove in four runs." - "Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies - September 27, 2012" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap
• "At age 19, he hit his 21st home run Thursday in the first inning of a game in Philadelphia. Only Tony Conigliaro has hit more as a teenager in baseball history." - "Historic season of Nationals' Harper might not be enough for NL rookie award" - Brian McNally, WashingtonExaminer.com
• "[Bryce] Harper may not be in consideration for the National League MVP award, as [Mike] Trout will be in the A.L., but he has perhaps turned into a favorite for N.L. Rookie of the Year." - "Looking at Harper and the Rookie of the Year race" - Chase Hughes, CSNWashington.com
• "'I like those 93 runs a lot better,' [Bryce] Harper said of his home run milestones. 'Getting on base for all these guys, just getting on base and letting them get those RBIs and whatnot..." - "Praise for Harper as impressive debut winds down" - Joey Nowak, nationals.com: News
• "Opponents have been lucky to get Morse when he was nursing a wrist injury. He had hit only two homers the entire month before matching that total with two in the same game Thursday." - "For one night, Morse's power returns and Clippard shuts them down" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "A week ago, [Davey] Johnson listed getting [Michael] Morse healthy and hitting for power as chief among his requests for the Nationals' playoff drive." - "Michael Morse's power drops Nationals' magic number to three" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'I guess it’s never too late to get going,' [Michael] Morse said. 'I feel good. It’s been a tough year for me...'" - "Nationals vs. Phillies: Michael Morse hits two homers as Washington lowers magic number to three" Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post
• Morse's Blast To CF:
• Hit Tracker Online:
• "'They're all big games. The first game we played of the year is a big game,' [Davey] Johnson said. "I never try to get too upset or too giddy when you win a bunch ... '" - "Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals - September 28, 2012" - Cash Kruth, MLB.com Preview
• "With the postseason beginning next Friday(!), the Nationals will have to make a decision on their pitching roster for the second season." - "Could Lannan replace Gorzelanny on postseason roster?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "Manager Davey Johnson has replaced him in the closer’s spot with Drew Storen, but Clippard remains the Nationals’ top setup man and one of their most valuable relievers." - "Tyler Clippard halts his skid with a 1-2-3 inning" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post
• "Jayson Werth hasn't made any more friends in Philadelphia this week." - "Werth has no hard feelings about Philly" - Joey Nowak, nationals.com: News
• "[Tom] Gorzelanny saw the ball coming down into the bullpen, took off his hat and snatched the ball out of the air. The hat catch set off a wild celebration in the 'pen..." - "A long homer, a nifty catch and an impressive turnaround" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "Metro announced Thursday afternoon that LivingSocial, the daily deals company based in the District, will fund extended Metro service for any playoff game that ends late." - "Metro will extend service during Nationals playoff stint" - Mark Berman, Mike DeBonis and Lori Aratani - The Washington Post
• "The slow, stumbling and all-around unfortunate racing president has compiled a record of 0-523 since the Nationals arrived in the nation's capital." - "When will Teddy win the Presidents Race?" - Andrew Mollenbeck, WTOP.com
• Kurt Busch: "I'm going to look a new Zen master. I found him: It's Bryce Harper, 19-year-old phenom out of Vegas. ... He's so wise. He told the media, 'No more clown questions. I'm not going to answer any clown questions.'" - "NASCAR At Dover: Kurt Busch Looking Forward to Union With Furniture Row Racing" - Jeff Gluck, SBNation.com
• "Metro riders will have a way to get home after any home Washington Nationals playoff games after LivingSocial agreed to pay for up to two hours of extra service following any weeknight games." - "Nationals fans get late-night Metro ride home" - Kytja Weir, WashingtonExaminer.com
• "So who does deserve to win the award as the league's top pitcher, [Gio] Gonzalez or [R.A.] Dickey?" - "Cy Young for Gonzalez? Not a clear-cut choice" - Nationals Buzz: Marty Niland, MASNSports.com
• "Plenty of defensive gems by the Nationals last night in Philly, including Ian Desmond's diving stop in the seventh." - "Video: Danny Espinosa makes a fantastic over-the-shoulder catch" - Nats Enquirer
• "Arizona Fall League Assignments Now Official" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com
• "Jayson Werth’s Wednesday night antics, and the subsequent outrage in Philadelphia, put Phillies fans back on the menu of appropriate D.C. sports topics." - "Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo on Philly fans" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog, Washington Post
• "Based on current prices on the secondary market for Nats playoff tickets (hint: high), there will likely be strong interest in this news..." - "Nats will sell standing room only playoff tickets" - Dan Steinberg, The Washington Post
• "September 28, 1949 Clinging to 1st place, the Red Sox head into the 9th in Washington nursing a 1-0 edge." - "This Date in Washington Senators History – Senators deny Denny McLain of his 32nd win" - Art Audley, D.C. Baseball History
• "At the beginning of his stint, Gonzalez didn’t look much like a 20-game winner." - "Washington Nationals Game 156 Review: On homers by Harper, Morse, Nats rock Phillies 7-3" - Alyssa Wolice, District Sports Page
• "Speculation about a looming victory for Teddy Roosevelt has reached an all-time peak, with dozens of media outlets reporting that an October victory for Teddy is in the cards." - "Reader Poll: When Will Teddy Win?" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!
• "Thursday’s moment of boyish good cheer came when Michael Morse hit a home run 9 million feet into the Nats’ bullpen..." - "Tom Gorzelanny catches a Michael Morse home run with his hat" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog, Washington Post
• "I see the Braves winning 2 of 3 over the Mets, the Nats winning 1 of 3 from the Cardinals, and the lead shrinking to 3 games." - "So comes the weekend of doom or joy" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "Washington Nationals Third Baseman Ryan Zimmerman was born on 09/28/1984 in Washington, North Carolina." - "NATS: Happy Birthday, Ryan Zimmerman" - Cheryl Nichols, District Sports Page
• "Bryce Harper got the offense going for the Nats with a home run in the first inning, his 21st of the season." - "Nats Lower Magic Number To Three Behind Gio’s 21st Win" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• From July: "Q&A: Bo Porter, Future Big-League Manager" - David Laurila, FanGraphs Baseball
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Braves: "On the eve of his retirement, Chipper Jones discussed some of the "best of" moments his career, from his most embarrassing moment to his proudest..." - "Jones’ career by the moments" - Carroll Rogers, www.ajc.com
• Mets: "It was all just another unique chapter in the exceptional story of an uncommon man. The same washed-up pitcher who kept dreaming of comebacks in the minor leagues..." - "NY Mets' R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball float right to the top of National League Cy Young award contention" - Filip Bondy, NY Daily News
• Phillies: "The Phillies didn't leave their home fans with a favorable final impression as they bid adieu to Citizens Bank Park for another season." - "Phillies lose home finale to Nationals" - Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer
• Marlins: "One wayward pitch ended Adam Greenberg’s Major League Baseball career on the same day it began..." - "ATLANTA: Beaned batter Adam Greenberg gets new chance with Miami Marlins" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com