I told you about Michael Aubrey's hot streak at Triple-A Norfolk, which included a grand slam last night. He also added a two-run shot, giving him six RBIs. He's batting .237, so consistency has been an issue, but there's no denying that his bat is sizzling right now. Frank Mata, optioned over the weekend, allowed a run and two hits in two-thirds of an inning. He also threw two wild pitches. Kevin Millwood comes off the disabled list today and pitches for the first time since July 5 in...

The early reviews are quite good for the Orioles fourth-round draft pick, outfielder Trent Mummey from Auburn. He is batting leadoff and playing center field for Aberdeen of the New York-Penn League. He is batting over .300 and has produced 15 extra-base hits in just 23 games. All this while playing with a quad injury that first surfaced in late May during his college season with the Tigers. "It's just a nagging thing and you see it once in a while when he accelerates and decelerates,"...

The Nationals got on the board in the series with the Reds, 8-5, thanks to another solid performance by Stephen Strasburg and a big sixth inning by the offense for the second game in a row. Strasburg went 5 and 2/3rds innings allowing three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out seven batters. All you need to know about the fire of the competitor that is Strasburg occurred when he was taken out of the game in the sixth. With the Nats up 7-3, a Reds fan behind the visitor's...

Pitcher Saulo Alcantara, a right-hander from the Orioles' Dominican Summer League team, has been suspended 50 games for violating minor league baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment program. Alcantara, signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2009, is 1-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 11 games this season. He went 1-1 with a 5.27 ERA last season in the Dominican. Single-A Frederick pitcher Brian Parker received a 50-game suspension last summer. On a better note, Single-A Delmarva's Tyler Townsend...

Following tonight's 7-2 loss at Great American Ball Park, the Washington Nationals optioned outfielder Justin Maxwell to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Maxwell, 26, has 14 walks and a .340 on-base percentage in 24 games with the Nationals this season. He is 4-for-38 (.105) with one double, one home run, three RBI and three stolen bases.

Here are some comments from the clubhouse after Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Tampa. Brad Bergesen talked about his outing, after he gave up five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings: "It was a tough outing, just one of those where I battled and tried to keep the team in it. The (seven) strikeouts were irrelevant. Compared to the hits today, it was kind of a hot and cold day. Didn't make good execution pitches when I needed to, with two strikes and that's what really hurt me today. "My...

The Orioles announced after today's game that they have optioned LHP Troy Patton to Triple-A Norfolk. Patton was recalled before today's game against Tampa Bay but did not pitch. He is 6-9 with a 4.91 ERA (99.0IP, 54ER) in 18 starts for the Tides this season. A corresponding roster move will be announced prior to tomorrow's game against Minnesota.

That didn't take long. The Orioles optioned Troy Patton to Triple-A Norfolk after today's game, making room for Kevin Millwood on the 25-man roster. Patton came here as bullpen insurance and didn't pitch. At least he got to see the inside of the Camden Yards clubhouse. Interim manager Juan Samuel pointed to two key plays in today's game that cost the Orioles. Juan Samuel talks with the media after the O's 5-4 loss to the Rays Miguel Tejada fielded Jason Barlett's ground ball with...

A day after becoming the only team in the Majors this year to win when trailing in the ninth inning and in extra innings in the same game, the O's lost the third and deciding game of their series with Tampa, 5-4, on Wednesday afternoon at the Yard. The O's fell behind 4-0 in the third, rallied to tie it at 4-4 by the fifth, only to see Tampa move back in front on a bases-loaded walk in the sixth. Losing pitcher Brad Bergesen allowed five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3. Bergesen falls to...

The Orioles put the tying run on base with one out in the eighth inning when Ty Wigginton doubled off Tampa Bay right-hander Joaquin Benoit. Then it went bad. Pinch-runner Scott Moore broke for third on Adam Jones' routine grounder to short, and he was an easy out. So much for having a runner in scoring position. Interim manager Juan Samuel decided to pinch-hit for Jake Fox, who had an RBI double today. Felix Pie struck out to end the inning. Rays 5, Orioles 4. Julio Lugo and Cesar...