Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Drop HR-Filled Affair To Baltimore Orioles In Camden Yards

Ryan Zimmerman doubled his home run total on the year in one night last night in OPACY. Unfortunately so did Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmerman hit three home runs against Baltimore Orioles' right-hander Chris Tillman. Zimmermann allowed three home runs, one by Chris Davis (who hit two on the night), one by Nick Markakis and a third by Steve Pearce. Has to be the park, right? "It's a tough ballpark to pitch in," Davey Johnson said. Jordan Zimmermann took the blame for the Nationals' 9-6 loss to the O's, telling reporters afterwards, "I just tried to pitch my game and throw strikes and make them put it in play, but a few of the balls went out, I thought they were routine pop-ups, and they kept going. You can't really do much about that, you can't really change your game to pitch to a small ballpark." Don't ever change, Jordan. Now it's Dan Haren's turn. The Nats' right-hander has allowed more home runs (12) than walks (9) so far this season. Haren's allowed six home runs in 38.1 IP in Camden Yards in his career... Good luck, Lieutenant Dan! Links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "I watched the Washington Nationals in person Wednesday for the first time this year, but I did not see one of the most exciting players in the sport." - "Nationals' Bryce Harper hustles but do resulting injuries endanger his future?" - Jon Morosi, FOX Sports on MSN

• NATS BEAT:

• "The second time, Adam Jones climbed the center field wall and watched the ball dip into the grass in front of the batter’s eye." - "Ryan Zimmerman's three-homer night not enough as Nationals fall to Orioles late" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "The Nationals' streak of having won 20 straight games to open the season when scoring at least five runs came to a close last night." - "Nationals Pastime: Some of this, some of that" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

•"Chris Davis went 4 for 4 with two homers, and the Orioles battled back to beat Jordan Zimmermann and the Washington Nationals 9-6 Wednesday night." - "Zimmerman hits 3 HRs, but Orioles rally past Nats" - David Ginsburg, AP/WTOP.com

• "It unfortunately was lost amid the late implosion by the Nationals pitching staff (or explosion by the Orioles lineup, depending on how you look at it) but [Ryan] Zimmerman had a night for the ages." - "Instant analysis: Orioles 9, Nats 6" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com

• "[Ryan] Zimmerman had a chance to hit his fourth home run of the game against reliever Steve Johnson, but Zimmerman struck out looking to end the seventh inning." - "Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman hits three home runs in game" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "On most nights, three homers in one game by a single player would be something to talk about, especially if you have never accomplished such a feat in your career." - "Zimmerman was just trying to "hit the ball hard" in three-homer game" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "In the seventh inning, Ryan Zimmerman tucked his ash bat under his left armpit, tightened the Velcro straps of his gray batting gloves and stepped into the batter’s box." - "Nationals vs. Orioles: Ryan Zimmerman hits three homers but Baltimore rallies for 9-6 win" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• "[Ryan] Zimmerman became the fourth player this season to hit three homeruns in a game and, according to ESPN’s hittracker, his homers traveled a total of 1,244 — almost a quarter mile." - "Taking a closer look at Ryan Zimmerman's big night" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• Zim's Big Game:

• "Perhaps it’s strange for Davey Johnson now, as he glances around Oriole Park at Camden Yards on a steamy May afternoon that felt like so many before it in this ballpark." - "Return to Baltimore stirs fond memories for Davey Johnson" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "There were eight home runs hit here tonight, four by each team. [Jordan] Zimmermann took the mound in the seventh with a three-run cushion and set to face the Orioles' No. 8, 9 and 1 hitters." - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson: 'That one hurt'" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "[Ross] Detwiler injured the oblique while running the bases against the Dodgers on May 15." - "Detwiler to skip start as Nats practice caution" - Bill Ladson and Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News

• "Whether [Bryce] Harper (who has officially been diagnosed with bursitis in his left knee) is able to play this weekend in Atlanta remains to be seen." - "Injury updates on Harper, Werth, Detwiler" - Mark Zuckerman, Comcast SportsNet Washington

• "Jayson Werth's hamstring/dehydration issue is confusing. He's as important as Harper in the lineup." - "Nagging issues threaten to derail Nationals' season" - Rick Snider, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "Nationals manager Davey Johnson is hoping that outfielder Bryce Harper can play during the three-game series against the Braves starting Friday in Atlanta." - "As Harper rests, Nats hope he'll return vs. Braves" - Bill Ladson and Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News

• Chris Davis Is A Monster:

• "It looked as if rookie pitcher Nathan Karns had stood outside in the rain showers that were pelting Nationals Park on Tuesday evening." - "Nationals rookie Nathan Karns tries to settle into majors" - Brian McNally, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "Left-hander Bill Bray, who began a stint with Double-A Harrisburg early this month, is now back at the Nationals' complex in Viera, Fla., as he rehabs a sore pitching shoulder." - "Bray on the mend at Nationals' spring complex" - Bill Ladson and Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News

• "By night's end, cozy Camden Yards had chewed up Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard, spit them out and left them rotting on the ground." - "Baltimore's barrage sinks Nationals pitching" - Mark Zuckerman, Comcast SportsNet Washington

• "With manager Davey Johnson making his final run through major league ballparks in his final season at the helm of the Nationals, Baltimore is certainly a place that holds a special place in his heart." - "Johnson always has fond memories in his visits to Baltimore" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "[Ross] Detwiler will continue to rest ('If [trainer] Lee [Kuntz] catches me do anything I think I’m in trouble,' he said) and even travel with the team to Atlanta." - "Ross Detwiler rests oblique; Bryce Harper remains day to day" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "'It's tough to have a night like that and not be able to kinda celebrate it and have fun because we lost,' said [Ryan] Zimmerman, who doubled his season home run total on Wednesday." - "Washington Nationals at Baltimore Orioles - May 29, 2013" - Tom Schad, MLB.com WSH Recap

• "With manager Davey Johnson making his final run through major league ballparks in his final season at the helm of the Nationals, Baltimore is certainly a place that holds a special place in his heart." - "Johnson always has fond memories in his visits to Baltimore" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "This month, LaRoche is hitting .341 (30 of 88) with four doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 19 RBI." - "Adam LaRoche continues his surge" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• SHARK ON EUTAW STREET!!:

• "After sitting out the last five games, second baseman Danny Espinosa faced a choice." - "Danny Espinosa still playing through fractured wrist as Steve Lombardozzi heads back to the bench" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "'It feels good,' [Danny] Espinosa said. 'It’s not going to be 100 percent. But there are plenty of guys that play with injuries that aren’t 100 percent.'" - "On Danny Espinosa's return to the lineup, and his fractured right wrist" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "This was [Jordan] Zimmermann's worst outing of the season, and by a vast margin. He allowed seven runs, more than doubling his previous season-high..." - "Nationals Pastime: Zimmermann, Clippard on the seventh-inning blow-up" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "'I'm way more comfortable than I was early on,' [Adam] LaRoche said. 'But similar to last year, I feel like last year I was able to piece it together and stay away from those two or three huge, long ruts.'" - "Washington Nationals at Baltimore Orioles - May 30, 2013" - Jesse Sanchez, MLB.com Preview

• "On Thursday, the Nationals send 32-year-old Dan Haren (4-5, 5.43 ERA) to the mound at Camden Yards to face a buzzsaw." - "Dan Haren’s turn to face the hot-hitting Orioles in Camden Yards" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter:

If we make consistent effort, based on proper education, we can change the world.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) May 28, 2013

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "'I always love coming to Baltimore,' [Davey] Johnson said. 'My kids were born here. I learned to play baseball here with the likes of Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell, a guy named Frank Robinson, and played under Earl Weaver.'" - "In final trip to Baltimore, Nationals manager Davey Johnson reminisces about his days with the Orioles" - Daniel Gallen, baltimoresun.com

• "[Chris] Davis has been extremely hot lately, batting .432 over the past 19 games. He's 18 for 30 with six homers and nine RBIs in the past eight contests." - "MLB Preview - Washington Nationals at Baltimore Orioles - May 30, 2013" - CBSSports.com

• "Chris Davis went 4 for 4 with two home runs, and the Baltimore Orioles overcame three homers by Ryan Zimmerman to beat the Washington Nationals, 9-6, on Wednesday night." - "Nationals’ Zimmerman and Cubs’ Navarro Hit 3 Homers Each" - AP/NYTimes.com

• "Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had a big night in the Nationals 9-6 loss to the Orioles last evening." - "Roto Roundup: Chris Davis, Ryan Zimmerman, Matt Kemp and Others" - Ray Guilfoyle, Fake Teams

• "Whereas [Dioner] Navarro’s big day led the Cubs to victory, a three home run performance by Washington Nationals third baseman was not enough to overcome Chris Davis and the Baltimore Orioles." - "The Juice: Dioner Navarro hits three homers in Cubs win, Ryan Zimmerman matches him in Nationals loss" - Mark Townsend, Big League Stew - Yahoo! Sports

• "It was 86 degrees in Baltimore on Wednesday night, the ball was flying and we had one of the most exciting games of the season." - "Thirty thoughts on Orioles-Nationals game" - Dave Schoenfield, SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

• "A few hours later, Ryan Zimmerman hit three homers of his own. He joined Adam Dunn and Alfonso Soriano as the only Nationals to hit three dingers in one game." - "Anything Dioner Navarro can do, Ryan Zimmerman can do better" - Mike Axisa, CBSSports.com

• NATS MINORS:

• Class-A Hagerstown: "LHP Matt Purke made his first start of the season for Hagerstown and pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out six." - "Suns avoid sweep with 12-5 win over Asheville" - Eli Pearlstein, Hagerstown Suns News

• Class-A Potomac: "With Washington Nationals RF Jayson Werth in tow amidst a rehabilitation start, the Potomac Nationals (27-24, 16-11) shocked the Salem Red Sox (21-28, 12-17) by coming back from a 7-0 deficit..." - "Biggest Comeback of Season by Nationals Yields 9-8 Win" - Potomac Nationals News

• "Thursday’s News & Notes" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• Double-A Harrisburg: "Steven Souza, Jr. homered, doubled, and drove in all three Harrisburg runs, but the Senators fell 6-3 to the Akron Aeros on Wednesday night at Canal Park." - "Souza Goes Deep But Sens Fall Short 6-3" - Marshall Kelner, Harrisburg Senators News

• "[Robert] Gilliam was giving up hits but not runs through the first three frames. That changed in the third, as Akron's offense came to life." - "Big game for Steven Souza Jr., but Harrisburg Senators' win streak ends with loss in Akron" - Geoff Morrow, PennLive.com

• Triple-A Syracuse: "In the loss, Jeff Mandel pitched brilliantly for Syracuse. He came in for [Jeremy] Accardo in the four and tossed four-and-one-third innings of shutout ball, striking out four." - "Braves beat Chiefs, 10-1, on Wednesday"- Syracuse Chiefs News

• "Last Night In Woodbridge" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN:

• "Davey Johnson’s weekly hits with the Junkies have become appointment listening. They just have." - "Davey Johnson Asks The Junkies Who Should DH in Baltimore" - Chris Lingebach, CBS DC

• "Davey Johnson has a goatee now" - Nats Enquirer

• "The MASN split broadcast booths come around every baseball season during inter-league play, and every baseball season fans both Nats and Orioles fans seem unamused." - "On the MASN split booths" - Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog

• "Remembering 1924 – Senators and Red Sox split a doubleheader" - Mark Hornbaker, D.C. Baseball History

• "Week 9 Game 53 Nats @ Orioles" - Lady and the Nats

• "Yunesky Maya got his final shot at glory, getting a call up last week to provide long-relief cover while Ross Detwiler was on the mend. He failed..." - "Maya DFA and outright; the end of an era" - Nationals Arm Race

• "Video: Watch Roger Bernadina crush a home run onto Eutaw Street" - Nats Enquirer

• "People look. ERA is great and all but it's not the best way to judge how a pitcher is going to perform going forward." - "Nationals Baseball: ZNN in brief review" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• "DMV: Chris Davis Is Going Wild" - Jamie Mottram, Mr. Irrelevant, a D.C. Sports Blog by the Brothers Mottram

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Phillies: "Charlie Manuel saw a lot of things that will stick in the darker recesses of his mind even after the Phillies muted them with a 4-3 victory over the Red Sox that sounded plenty of uplifting notes." - "Victories masking Phillies' trouble zones" - David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News

• Mets: "The Mets have turned this year’s edition of the Subway Series into their own two-borough party, especially after socking it to the Yankees again Wednesday night with a 9-4 victory at the Stadium." - "Jeremy Hefner finally gets first win as Mets sock it to Yankees, clinch series at Stadium" - Anthony McCarron, NY Daily News

• Marlins: "The search for Tom Koehler’s first big-league win continues." - "Offensive woes continue as Miami Marlins lose to Tampa Bay Rays" - Manny Navarro, MiamiHerald.com

• Braves: "With their bullpen depleted by season-ending elbow injuries to left-handers Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty and taxed after covering seven innings behind Kris Medlen Wednesday night, the Braves have called on left-handed prospect Alex Wood." - "Braves promote left-hander Alex Wood" - Carroll Rogers, www.ajc.com