Though the Washington Nationals' offense as a whole struggled against St. Louis last night, the Nats did get to Cardinals' starter Shelby Miller in the fourth with Jayson Werth singling to start the frame and scoring on a two-out double by Ian Desmond. After Desi's eighth double of the year, Nationals' 2011 1st Round pick Anthony Rendon stepped in looking for his first major league hit. Rendon's patience is well-established (he did have a .520 OBP in his first season at Rice and a .505 OBP in his collegiate career with more walks than Ks in each of his three seasons in college). The right-handed hitting infielder battled Miller for eight pitches and then lined to right for an opposite field RBI double that tied the game at 2-2. Rendon ended the night 1 for 4 with two Ks, but he got his first MLB hit with his family in attendance. Here it is...
• THE BIG STORY!!!:
Way to go, Rendon. On to the links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!
• NATS BEAT:
• "[Davey] Johnson said there was 'not really' a scenario in which Rendon would stay in the majors past Zimmerman’s return." - "Anthony Rendon to the minors when Ryan Zimmerman returns" - James Wagner, Washington Post
• "The timing of this is all wrong for the Nats. Their vision of [Anthony] Rendon at third base includes [Ryan] Zimmerman on the field -- at first." - "Time to give Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman the third degree" - Thom Loverro, WashingtonExaminer.com
• "[Anthony] Rendon said, as expected, it has been a whirlwind 48 hours since Double-A Harrisburg manager Matt Lecroy brought him to his office to break the news that he had been called to the bigs." - "Rendon excited for debut at Nationals Park" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "Unable to get from Houston to New York in time for the Nationals' series finale against the Mets, the Rendons instead caught a flight to Washington last night." - "Rendon relaxed after shaky debut" - Mark Zuckerman, Comcast SportsNet Washington
• "[Anthony] Rendon said he's trying to stay relaxed, as it's just baseball at a different level with more people watching the game. Rendon said the fact that he'll play on a regular basis also is going to help." - "Rendon tallies first hit, RBI in home debut" - Jeff Seidel and Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News
• "Yadier Molina smacked an RBI single in the sixth inning off [Dan] Haren, and that proved to be the game-winning run." - "For Nationals' Dan Haren, better effort not enough in loss to Cardinals" - Brian McNally, WashingtonExaminer.com
• "After throwing 87 pitches through five, [Dan] Haren was sent out to work the sixth, but he failed to retire a batter." - "Nationals Pastime: A mixed bag from Haren (Nats lose 3-2)" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "Anthony Rendon is too good of a natural hitter to let his career-opening 0-fer drag on too long." - "On Haren, Rendon and Storen" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "[Dan] Haren also felt better with what he saw, but he still wanted to go longer. It's clear the veteran is truly bothered and somewhat mystified by his 2013 struggles." - "St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals - April 22, 2013" - Jeff Seidel, MLB.com WSH Recap
• "According to our Pitchf/X data of his start, Haren threw 21 splitters — a higher ratio than normal — because it felt better in the bullpen as he warmed up before the game." - "Dan Haren improved, but not enough: ‘I’m going to be better’" - James Wagner, Washington Post
• "[Dan] Haren had thrown 87 pitches after five innings and didn't look to be tiring when he retired the final three batters he saw in the fifth. Is it possible, however, that he just ran out of gas?" - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson discusses Haren, offensive struggles after 3-2 loss" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "Catcher Wilson Ramos, on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, said he’s feeling good and foresees no problem being ready when he’s eligible to come off in one week." - "It's a boy for Soriano, Storen to close Monday, Ramos close -- and lineups" - Mike Harris, Washington Times
• "Manager Davey Johnson expects Ramos to take at-bats in extended spring training in Viera, Fla. this week to prepare for a return next Monday in Atlanta." - "St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals - April 22, 2013" - Jeff Seidel, MLB.com WSH Recap
"[Dan] Haren also felt better with what he saw, but he still wanted to go longer. It's clear the veteran is truly bothered and somewhat mystified by his 2013 struggles." -"Wilson Ramos set to come off disabled list in next week" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post
• "As I mentioned this morning, the Nats have made 18 errors in 18 games so far this season, and they possess the worst fielding percentage in the majors." - "Nationals Pastime: LaRoche on Nats' defensive struggles: 'Very surprising'" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "The Nationals had some chances, especially late, but simply couldn't produce a clutch hit when they needed it." - "Instant analysis: Cardinals 3, Nats 2" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "'We're just in a rut,' [Adam] LaRoche said. 'Lot of quick innings. Not a ton of baserunners. And five, six guys that aren't swinging the bat real good. When it rains, it pours.'" - "Light-hitting Nationals lose 3-2 to Cardinals" - Howard Fendrich, AP/WTOP.com
• "Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond made just 15 errors in 128 games during the 2012 season." - "Desmond not concerned about early errors" - Jeff Seidel and Andrew Simon, nationals.com: News
• "The specter of last October hovered Monday night over the Washington Nationals, the coincidences giving them no choice but to flash back." - "Cardinals 3, Nationals 2: St. Louis maintains mastery over Washington" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post
• "After watching a potential seventh-inning rally snuffed out when Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay made a nifty, sliding catch of Tracy's broken-bat blooper with two on and two out, the Nationals gave themselves another opportunity in the bottom of the eighth." - "Lackluster lineup leads to another Nats loss" - Mark Zuckerman, Comcast SportsNet Washington
• "Monday's 3-2 setback to the Cardinals was the Nationals' second straight loss and seventh in their last 10 games." - "Desmond thinks Nats made 'huge step in the right direction' despite loss" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "[Ian] Desmond shrugged when asked if he could identify a reason for the string of miscues. There has not been much of a pattern." - "Ian Desmond not concerned about early errors" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post
• "On Monday night, the Nationals chose to intentionally walk [Pete] Kozma -- something some fans surely wished the Nationals had done the other time..." - "Molina, Miller lead Cardinals past Nationals 3-2" - Howard Fendrich, AP/WTOP.com
• "As the Nationals try to even the series, they will be playing behind their best pitcher so far this season." - "St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals - April 23, 2013" - Andrew Simon, MLB.com Preview
• "'We’re just in a rut,' [Adam] LaRoche said. 'Lot of quick innings. Not a ton of baserunners.'" - "Adam LaRoche: Nationals Are ‘In A Rut’ After Loss to St. Louis" - Chuck Carroll, CBS DC
• "The Nationals, a team that on paper has a balanced, skilled lineup with a nice mix of guys who reach base at a high clip and can mash the ball out of the park, have seen their bats go quiet recently..." - "Nationals Pastime: Waiting for the offense to come around" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com
• "The Nats 'identity' really does exist and goes back beyond '12. They played up to their talent in '11, too, and their clubhouse mix was part of the reason." - "Ask Boswell: Redskins, Nationals and Washington sports" - Thomas Boswell, The Washington Post
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):
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• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
• "[Pete Kozma] was booed during pregame introductions and again when his name was announced before his first plate appearance, in the third inning." - "St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals - Recap - April 22, 2013" - AP/ESPN
• "It's generally best to avoid giving up on top-40 starting pitchers in April, but perhaps Washington Nationals right-hander Dan Haren should never have been given that somewhat-lofty consideration in the first place." - "Dan Haren of Washington Nationals fails to last more than five innings again, Philadelphia Phillies prospects Jonathan Pettibone, Jesse Biddle impress" - Eric Karabell, Fantasy Baseball - ESPN
• NATS MINORS:
• Class-A Potomac: "The Potomac Nationals (8-9, 4-3) cranked plenty of baseballs that almost left the ballyard during their blustery road series opener with the Carolina Mudcats (7-10, 6-5) at Five County Stadium..." - "Nationals Get Blanked 3-0 in Road Series Opener with Mudcats" - Potomac Nationals News
• Double-A Harrisburg: "The Harrisburg Senators rallied with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but fell short 3-2 in the series opener against the Reading Fightin Phils at Metro Bank Park." - "Sens Rally Falls Short, Reading Takes Opener 3-2" - Marshall Kelner, Harrisburg Senators News
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (8-8) started strong with a four-run third inning against Chiefs right-hander Ross Ohlendorf." - "RailRiders beat Chiefs in series finale" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Syracuse was held to just six hits on Monday, Micah Owings had the only multi-hit game for the Chiefs, and Jeff Kobernus drove in the only run." - "Chiefs fall again, Chris Young starts tomorrow" - Ben Meyers, The Auburn Citizen
• "Karns, Hill, Martinson Win Weekly Honors" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com
• "Tuesday’s News & Notes" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com
• "Nats Minor League Leaders (4/23)" - Mark Buterbaugh, DC Pro Sports Report
• NATSTOWN:
• "A cast member of the new hit musical I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE Bill Mendieta will sing the National Anthem at the Washington Nationals game tomorrow, April 23." - "I LOVE LUCY LIVE's Bill Mendieta to Sing National Anthem at Washington Nationals Game, 4/23" - BroadwayWorld.com
• "In the first rematch of last season’s National League Divisional Series, the Washington Nationals dropped the first of a three game series to the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-2, before a chilly crowd of 27,263 at Nationals Park." - "Washington Nationals Game 19 Review: No offense in 3-2 loss to Cardinals" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page
• "Video: Abe sets an Earth Day trap for environmentalist Teddy Roosevelt" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!
• "Video: Nationals fans sing 'Sweet Caroline'" - Nats Enquirer
• "Ever since the Cardinals unceremoniously disposed of the Nationals in the 2012 National League Division Series, this series had been circled on many Nats fans’ calendars." - "Storen Gets Redemption Against Kozma, Nats Lose 3-2" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "Anthony Rendon collects first Major League hit, had to carry Jayson Werth's bag home from NY" - Nats Enquirer
• "'Wasted a decent Dan Haren start.' Those are words I wasn't expecting to type." - "The Sounds of Silence" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "With all of the expectations surrounding the Nats entering the 2013 season, people have taken to extreme levels of concern over this season's struggles relative to the feeling of last season's success." - "Time To Put April In Perspective" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "Anthony Rendon loses his helmet on a swing, gets first MLB hit" - Sarah Kogod, D.C. Sports Bog, Washington Post
• "Davey Johnson does push-ups in Nats dugout" - Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog, Washington Post
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Marlins: "Jose Fernandez was itching to see snowfall for the first time in his life on Monday. But when he takes the mound for the Marlins Tuesday, he doesn’t want to be pitching in the white stuff." - "Miami Marlins’ Jose Fernandez enjoys snow as he weathers first defeat" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com
• Mets: "Two days after Sandy Alderson had to bat down expectations that Zack Wheeler was coming to the rescue, the young righthander on Friday demonstrated what the Mets’ GM was talking about." - "Zack Wheeler continues to struggle in Triple-A, NY Mets fail to hit home run at Citi Field for first time this season Saturday" - Kristie Ackert and Sean Brennan, NY Daily News
• Braves: "Braves right fielder Jason Heyward had a laparascopic appendectomy Monday night at a Denver hospital." - "Braves’ Heyward has appendectomy in Denver" - David O'Brien, www.ajc.com
• Phillies: "Twenty games into the 2013 season, the Phillies have yet to look like a team that is going to consistently score runs in bunches." - "Phillies are finding ways to win" - David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News