The O's hitters watched their 35-year-old right-hander Kevin Millwood throw 34 pitches in the top of the first tonight and then their hitters went down 1-2-3 in the last of the first on just five pitches. Three batters, five pitches. Minnesota's hitter leading off the top of the second, Nick Punto, saw as many pitches (five) as the three O's hitters did combined. I just don't get that. Why not see a few pitches at least and give the guy a break. After all he is coming off the DL to...

Has anyone eaten the crab cakes at G&M Restaurant in Linthicum Heights? I just had a few bites of one because MASN's Amber Theoharis was nice enough to share, and it...was...awesome. I used Amber's fork after she assured me that I couldn't get pregnant. I'm not exactly sure how that works. Kevin Millwood's return to the Orioles has hit a few bumps. They're roughly the size of Minneapolis. Millwood retired the first two batters in the opening inning, but Joe Mauer doubled, Jason Kubel...

President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail walked out of interim manager Juan Samuel's office after batting practice without making a decision on whether to activate Brian Roberts. "He's campaigning," MacPhail said. Just a hunch, but I bet Roberts is activated tomorrow. The Twins lead the majors with a .289 average with runners in scoring position. The Orioles rank last at .226. Minnesota pitchers have issued the fewest walks with 202. A bizarre stat for runs scored: The Twins have...

Matt Wieters continues to make progress and today ran the bases earlier here at Camden Yards to test his right hamstring strain. "It went well. It was no (bad) feeling at all. The only difference is you've got to get used to getting the stride right to where you're not going to hit the base. But other than that, everything felt really good. "Yeah, barring any setbacks (I should be back Sunday). Right now I feel good and I was out there doing some catch and stuff, and everything feels...

CINCINNATI, Oh. --- The Nationals took their second straight over Cincinnati, 7-1, behind a complete game seven-hitter from workhorse Livan Hernandez (7-6) and a suddenly potent offense. After scoring just six runs in their first four games out of the break, the Nats have exploded for 22 runs in the last 27 innings. Hernandez allowed just a single run, an RBI groundout by Ramon Hernandez in the fourth, struck out five batters, walking none. Livan said he kept hydrated in the 83-degree...

After spending a few minutes behind closed doors today in the manager's office, Brian Roberts emerged and said he is taking today off and is still not sure when he will rejoin the Orioles roster. Some here are guessing it could come as early as tomorrow but no one is saying that just yet. Roberts said he was just joking around with Juan Samuel and John Shelby in the skipper's office and not politicking to get back on the team. "I don't know whose decision it is at this point, yet. ...

Brian Roberts is here and waiting to be activated. The Orioles haven't decided whether to put him on the 25-man roster tomorrow or wait until the Kansas City series next week. Toronto remains a possibility, but Roberts would be eased back into the lineup because of...you guessed it...the artificial surface. The club would rather avoid it. "B-Rob offered to write the lineup down today," interim manager Juan Samuel said, "but I was afraid he would write his name down." Scott Moore is a...

For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 1B Adam Jones CF Scott Moore 2B Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Twins: Span CF Hudson 2B Mauer DH Kubel RF Cuddyer 1B Young LF Hardy SS Punto 3B Butera C Pavano RHP

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated RHP Kevin Millwood from the 15-day disabled list, where he had been since July 6 with a strained right forearm (flexor mass). Millwood is 2-8 with a 5.77 ERA (107.2IP, 69ER) in 18 starts for the Orioles this season.

Nationals starter Luis Atilano has floating chips in his injured right elbow and will be placed on the disabled list, effective today. He will miss at least two starts, according to general manager Mike Rizzo. Atilano will get a cortisone shot when he returns to Washington. Rizzo said they have decided on the pitcher who will start Sunday, but will not make that announcement just yet. Possible candidates include Matt Chico, Ross Detwiler or someone like Miguel Batista. Scott Olsen and...