Kevin Gregg made things interesting in the ninth inning after surrendering a two-run homer to Neil Walker, but Jim Johnson picked up his 19th save in 20 tries to preserve the Orioles' 8-6 victory over the Pirates before 15,618 at Camden Yards. Gregg had posted a 1.32 ERA in his last 12 appearances before tonight. The biggest story, of course, was Brian Roberts' three-hit, one-RBI return to the lineup. His last single came from the right side of the plate. "Oh, it was great," said manager...

Brian Roberts returned to the Orioles' lineup tonight and went 3-for-4 with an RBI as Baltimore beat Pittsburgh 8-6 in Game 1 of a three-game series at Camden Yards. Roberts singled in the first, struck out in the third, singled in the fourth, hit a sac fly to right in the sixth and singled in the eighth. It was his first major league game since May 16, 2011. Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer, his fourth of the year, to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead in the second. Adam Jones had three hits,...

And the beat goes on. The Nationals just keep rolling over American League East teams, and they're up over the Blue Jays 4-2 tonight thanks to homers from Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa. Harper's blast was a solo shot in the third that was absolutely demolished, bouncing off the Blackberry sign in the second deck in right-center. It was Harper's seventh homer on the season, and his average now is above .300. Espinosa's blast came an inning later. It was a two-run shot to center that...

I couldn't come up with a "walk the plank" joke, and nothing about an eye patch or a parrot or a hook hand struck me as particularly funny, so I played the headline straight. Mark Reynolds began tonight's game batting .348/.419/.661 in 112 career at-bats against the Pirates, with seven doubles, two triples, eight homers and 21 RBIs. You know what happened tonight. He hit a two-run homer off Brad Lincoln in the second inning to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Reynolds is 1-for-2 tonight...

After spending most of last year, and all of this one up until now, with Robert Andino as his double-play partner for the most part, Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has Brian Roberts to his left tonight against Pittsburgh. He was asked what Roberts' return means to the Orioles. "A lot," Hardy said. "I mean other than the fact that he is a great player, there's the leadership. He's been around our clubhouse, even though he hasn't been able to play. Just going to be nice to have him back on...

Brian Roberts received a nice ovation tonight as he walked to the plate for his first Orioles at-bat since May 16, 2011. Many of the fans stood and applauded. It's far from a packed house, but they made a lot of noise. Roberts looks a little different wearing a specially designed batting helmet with ear flaps on both sides to provide extra protection, but the swing is the same. Roberts ran the count full against Pirates starter Brad Lincoln and lined a single into center field, bringing...

The Orioles have made the move official to reinstate Brian Roberts and from the 60-day disabled list. To make room for Roberts on the roster, the club has optioned Steve Tolleson to Triple-A Norfolk and transferred Nolan Reimold to the 60-day disabled list. Roberts has been on the disabled list with a concussion since May 17, 2011. He batted .238/.340/.429 with five doubles, a home run, five RBI and six runs in a 14 game rehabilitation assignment with Single-A Delmarva (two games), Double-A...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated 2B Brian Roberts from the 60-day disabled list. To make room for Roberts on the roster, the club has optioned INF Steve Tolleson to Triple-A Norfolk and transferred OF Nolan Reimold to the 60-day disabled list. Roberts has been on the disabled list with a concussion since May 17, 2011. He batted .238/.340/.429 with five doubles, a home run, five RBI and six runs in a 14 game rehabilitation assignment with Single-A Delmarva (two games),...

The Orioles received a dose of good news and a dose of bad news, so they're playing .500 today. The bad news is related to left-hander Brian Matusz, who fouled a bunted ball off his nose and might miss tomorrow night's start against the Pirates. Matusz was preparing for the next round of interleague games on the road, where the pitcher is required to hit. He was squaring up against a pitching machine, since batting practice was cancelled due to the rain. "It's off the machine," manager...

For the first time since last May 16, Brian Roberts name is atop the Orioles' lineup at second base for tonight's game at Camden Yards against Pittsburgh. While Roberts has not been officially activated yet, he will if the game is played. He's waited a while for this day and noted he now could possibly have to wait yet another day. "Praying the rain goes away," he said during a Camden Yards press conference a few moments ago. "It's been a year test of patience, so why not one more day....