Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Head To Colorado To Face Rockies After Doubleheader Sweep Of Twins

The Washington Nationals took two games from the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, winning the matinee 7-0 and the nightcap 5-4. The Nats overcame a rough start by right-hander Nate Karns to battle back and take the second game of two from the Twins and two of three in the weekend series before they headed out to Colorado to start a three-game set with the Rockies on Tuesday night. Davey Johnson was happy to see his offense get going with 14 hits and seven runs in the first game and a late-game comeback at night. "The bullpen did a great job, we got some clutch hits, good game," Johnson said after the second win. "Everybody really had quality at bats, just like this afternoon," the manager continued, "I'm really, really pleased."

"Going on a road trip it's good to get back to .500, and get on with it," the Nationals' skipper told reporters. "We have awfully good hitters on this ballclub. Just for some reason or another, we've been a little passive at home plate. We haven't been really taking it to the opposition. And I thought, like I say, 'attack mode,' more aggressive. And that's what I saw last year and I haven't seen that this year. This afternoon was great, and there was a carry-over. [Twins' game two starter Samuel Deduno] has good stuff. Ball moves a lot. And we made him work and got good pitches to hit and drove the ball, which is good."

Now the Nationals (31-31) head out to Colorado to start a three-game set with the Rockies (34-30). Another day off today? Yes, which is tough after two days off last week due to the weather. Well, tough for fans, probably good for the injured Nats. But 8:40 pm EDT tomorrow. Until then, links and lots of them... starting... RIGHT NOW!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "'Every season, you’re going to face different challenges,' Eckstein said, standing in the tunnel between the Nationals’ dugout and clubhouse." - "How Rick Eckstein expects the Nationals’ offense to come around" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• NATS BEAT:

• "When the Nationals announced last week that [Bryce] Harper would visit Andrews, the bursitis in his left knee still resulting in pain and inflammation, it set off alarms." - "Bryce Harper visit to Dr. James Andrews for second opinion just 'protocol'" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "According to [Mike] Rizzo, there is no reason to fear the worst regarding Bryce Harper and that getting a look by Andrews is just business as usual for an injury of his sort." - "Rizzo on Harper: 'No worry about it'" - Chase Hughes, Comcast SportsNet Washington

• "Bryce Harper was packing a bag in the clubhouse this morning, getting ready to see Dr. James Andrews down in Florida tomorrow to get a second opinion on his left knee." - "Nationals Pastime: Rizzo on Marrero call-up, Harper's knee, Espinosa's health" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Outfielder Bryce Harper and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman are two of the Nationals' most recognizable players, and for good reason." - "Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper second among NL outfielders in All-Star balloting" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "[Bryce] Harper will see high-profile orthopedist James Andrews Monday morning for a second opinion on his swollen left knee, which the Nationals have diagnosed as bursitis." - "Mike Rizzo: ‘No worry’ about structural damage in Bryce Harper’s knee" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• Davey Johnson after Game Two Sunday:

• "[Tyler] Moore, who has served primarily as outfield and first base insurance this season, was one of the brightest spots off the bench for the Nationals in 2012." - "Nationals option Tyler Moore to Triple-A" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "[Jordan] Zimmermann battled a high pitch count to go seven innings with zero earned runs, two hits, eight strikeouts, and two walks." - "Instant Analysis: Nats 7, Twins 0" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

• "[Tyler] Moore seemed upbeat after the game despite the demotion. Asked what was lacking offensively for him this season, Moore cracked, 'Getting base hits, mainly.'" - "Nationals Pastime: Nats option Tyler Moore to Syracuse" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The Nationals optioned backup first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Syracuse after Sunday night's win in order to get the 26-year-old more regular at-bats." - "Nationals recall Marrero for doubleheader; option Moore" - Bill Ladson and Tom Schad, nationals.com: News

• "[Tyler] Moore viewed the demotion as an opportunity to revive his season. Last year, Moore helped give the Nationals the most productive bench in the majors..." - "Nationals option Tyler Moore to Class AAA Syracuse" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "In the opener, the Twins botched a grounder and let Washington put the game out of reach. In the nightcap, they wasted chances at the plate and blew a three-run lead." -"Twins drop doubleheader to Nationals, 7-0 and 5-4" - Harvey Valentine, AP/WTOP.com

• "[Ross] Detwiler would next be on regular rest on Thursday when the Nationals finish a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies in Denver." - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson, Rendon, Zimmermann and Kobernus talk after Nats' 7-0 win" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

"The Nats are now 2-0 in games following Johnson-led team meetings this season. (The other came May 4 in Pittsburgh and was followed by a 5-4 Nats win.)" -"Ross Detwiler close to returning to Nationals' rotation after rehab start" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Players credited manager Davey Johnson's meeting with the team before the first game for the improved offensive showing." - "Nationals do a double take, sweep doubleheader with Twins" - Elliot Smilowitz, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "The Nationals went down early thanks to an unfortunate outing by starter Nathan Karns, but rallied to chip away the lead and eventually leave with the series win." - "Instant Analysis: Nats 5, Twins 4" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

• "The Nats overcame a three-run deficit and picked up a win for the first time this season. They trailed 4-1 early on, but chipped away..." - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson discusses Nats' doubleheader sweep" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "'It wasn't much of a speech,' right-hander Jordan Zimmermann said. 'It was more just story time.'" - "Johnson brings team together before Game 1 victory" - Bill Ladson and Tom Schad, ationals.com: News

• "'You can't keep putting on one or two runners every inning and expect to come out with zeros,' [Nate] Karns said." - "Minnesota Twins at Washington Nationals - June 9, 2013" - Tom Schad, MLB.com WSH Recap

• "In Game 1 and Game 3, the Nationals went to their bullpen 13 separate times." - "Bullpen success a big part of series win over the Twins" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "With Ross Detwiler and Stephen Strasburg looking like they're on the verge of returning to the Nats' rotation after DL stints, [Nate] Karns will likely head back down to the minors in the coming days." - "Nationals Pastime: Karns smacked around in the nightcap (Nats win 5-4, sweep doubleheader)" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The Nationals took advantage of the two-game set and broke even at 31-31 on the season, just in time for a day off before a long road trip." - "Nats double up vs. Twins" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

• "Sunday offered another possible U-turn, wrapped in [Jordan] Zimmermann’s dominance and an offense that, in the nightcap, erased a three-run deficit and won for the first time all season." - "Nationals vs. Twins: Zimmermann sparkles, bats come alive as Washington sweeps a pair" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• "These are the games upon which the Nationals have built the hope that their season will not be lost to mediocrity and defined by unfulfilled expectations." - "Jordan Zimmermann, resurgent offense lift Nationals" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "The Nats are now 2-0 in games following Johnson-led team meetings this season. (The other came May 4 in Pittsburgh and was followed by a 5-4 Nats win.)" - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson, Rendon, Zimmermann and Kobernus talk after Nats' 7-0 win" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The Twins managed just two hits in seven innings against Jordan Zimmermann (9-3), who is tied for most wins in the majors." - "Miscues costly as Twins fall to Nationals 7-0" - AP/WTOP.com

• "Washington then broke it open by scoring five more runs in the fifth inning. [Ian] Desmond and [Anthony] Rendon highlighted the scoring by driving in two runs with a single and a double, respectively." - "Minnesota Twins at Washington Nationals - June 9, 2013" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap

• "[Ross] Detwiler also told me he felt good after his workout today at Nationals Park. He has been on the disabled list, retroactive to May 16, with an oblique strain." - "Detwiler rehab goes well, on track for June 13 return" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "Manager Davey Johnson even took the time for a brief chat to remind his players to be aggressive at the plate, to be confident, and to be the type of players he knew they could be." - "Nationals return to .500 with doubleheader sweep of Twins" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Dan Haren cannot put a finger on why he is not seeing better results this season." - "Washington Nationals at Colorado Rockies - June 11, 2013" - Stephen Planovich, MLB.com Preview

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):

I feel that each of us has the potential to make some contribution and together, working with a clear aim, we can change our world.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 7, 2013

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "For parts of three seasons in Minnesota, plus another five stops in the minor leagues, Anthony Swarzak and Denard Span had been teammates." - "Ex-Twin Denard Span victimizes old team as Nationals sweep" - Mike Berardino, TwinCities.com

• "'It is our protocol that players get a second opinion on any part of the body that we feel is a disabled-list type of injury,' [Mike] Rizzo told reporters before the first game of Washington's doubleheader Sunday against the Minnesota Twins." - "Nationals GM: Bryce Harper's Andrews visit 'protocol'" - Matt Slovin, USA TODAY Sports

• "Davey Johnson has done a good job of reaching the Nationals and motivating the players ever since taking over as manager about two years ago." - "Washington Nationals - TeamReport" - Reuters/chicagotribune.com

• via Twitter:

Elias Says Jordan Zimmermann is 3rd pitcher in team history to win at least 9 of 1st 13 starts w/ sub 2.00 ERA es.pn/19fH86n

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 10, 2013

• "The idea, you see, was to sink the Royals to the bottom of the standings on this weeklong road trip, then take advantage of the injury-depleted Nationals." - "Twin bill a Twins dud against Nationals" - Phil Miller, StarTribune.com

• NATS MINORS:

• Class-A Hagerstown: "RHP Ivan Pineyro (5-3) got the start and win for Hagerstown. He threw six innings, and allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out four." - "Suns take series at West Virginia with 4-1 win" - Eli Pearlstein, Hagerstown Suns News

• Class-A Potomac: "Despite a terrific outing from Nationals RHP Taylor Hill, who did not receive a decision, the Nationals did not score until the 5th inning..." - "Winning Streak Halted at 10 Games as P-Nats Fall 7-6 to Keys" - Potomac Nationals News

• Double-A Harrisburg: "Jerad Head homered twice and drove in four runs, and Rob Gilliam tossed five perfect innings to lead the Harrisburg Senators to an 8-2 win over the Reading Fightin Phils on Sunday afternoon at FirstEngergy Stadium." - "Head's Power, Gilliam's Arm Lead Sens in 8-2 Win" - Marshall Kelner, Harrisburg Senators News

• "Senators 1B Jerad Head was an absolute beast at the plate Sunday afternoon, finishing 4-for-5 with four runs and four RBIs." - "Highly productive Jerad Head; Rob Gilliam feasts on Reading; Steven Souza back on track: Harrisburg Senators game notebook" - Geoff Morrow, PennLive.com

• "The Chiefs got another run in the fourth inning. Micah Owings led off the frame with a home run to center field and bring Syracuse within 4-3." - "Red Sox clip Chiefs, 5-3, on Sunday" - Syracuse Chiefs News

• "Corey Brown ended up going 2-for-4 for Syracuse and drove in a run with a sharp single down the right field line in the bottom of the third." - "A great day for a ballgame, but Chiefs lose as Brown goes 2-for-4" - Ben Meyers, The Auburn Citizen

• Triple-A Syracuse: "[Chris] Marrero batted .306 (64-for-209) with nine doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 14 walks and 26 runs scored in 55 games this season with Syracuse." - "Syracuse Chiefs' Chris Marrero gets callup to Washington Nationals" - Lindsay Kramer, syracuse.com

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

• NATSTOWN:

• "The present-day Washington Nationals used a future version of themselves to defeat the past version of themselves, 7-0, on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park." - "Unstuck in Time: Nationals-Twins Sunday Game" - Jason Dick, Roll Call After Dark

• "Remembering 1924 – Indians sweep Senators" - Mark Hornbaker, D.C. Baseball History

• "THE GOOD: Jordan Zimmerman. We’re out of superlatives for the stoic righty. Two hits, two walks and 8 Ks over seven shutout innings for his ninth win of the season." - "Washington Nationals Games 61 & 62 Review: Nats sweep doubleheader from Twins to get back to .500" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• Funny Pages: "Thirtyish" - w/ a h/t to FBb's cookielover:

[ed note - "Panel 1 = FBb's one-line movie review of Terrence Malick's "To The Wonder."]

• "'Seventeen year Cicada Brood II has been swarming the Virginia suburbs southwest of DC, leading some to wonder whether Nationals Park would soon be affected." - "Videos: Giant cicada invades Nationals Park, attacks Teddy Roosevelt" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!

• "When Stephen Strasburg smiles, the world smiles with him..." - Nats Enquirer

• "The Washington Nationals (31-31) did, in fact, save some offense for the second game of their day-night double header against the Minnesota Twins..." - "Nats Keep Bats Hot In Doubleheader Sweep" - Erin Flynn, The Nats Blog

• "After a series of moves this weekend, the Nationals have called up and decided to stick with Chris Marrero, while also deciding to send Tyler Moore down to AAA." - "Chris Marrero Sticking Around, Tyler Moore Demoted to AAA" - The Zimmerman(n) Telegram

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Mets: "Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins finally ran out of patience yesterday and sent Ike Davis packing to Triple-A Las Vegas along with outfielder Mike Baxter and lefty reliever Robert Carson." - "Mets in need of major AAAttitude AAAdjustment" - Kevin Kernan, NYPOST.com

• Phillies: "For the Phillies, this weekend at Bernie's was no laughing matter." - "Phillies lose third straight, fall to Brewers 9-1" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News

• Marlins: "A day after playing 20 innings and the longest game in franchise history, the Marlins decided to take it easy and beat the Mets in 10." - "Derek Dietrich, Adeiny Hechavarria fuel Marlins’ comeback in another extra-inning win over Mets" - Manny Navarro, MiamiHerald.com

• Braves: "Dan Uggla is still not hitting his weight, but the Braves second baseman more than pulled his weight during the weekend at Dodger Stadium." - "Uggla homers twice, Minor wins again as Braves split series" - David O'Brien, www.ajc.com