Ty Wigginton dropped about 15 pounds over the winter, which second baseman Brian Roberts noted during tonight's O's Xtra pre-game show. A smaller Wigginton keeps coming up big. Wigginton belted his 10th home run tonight, a two-run shot in the second inning that gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead against Twins right-hander Carl Pavano. It was another monstrous blast similar to the one he hit yesterday at Yankee Stadium. And it's only the third homer Pavano has surrendered this season. MIguel...

Second baseman Brian Roberts didn't make a grand announcement on O's Xtra about his return to the lineup. Though encouraged by how his back is feeling, he still isn't sure when he'll get back on the field. "I don't know. Unfortunately, that's kind of the million dollar question that I've been asked a lot, certainly recently," he said. "The doctors have got me on a great physical therapy program. We are working and making progress. Unfortunately, I just don't have a final date...

Injured second baseman Brian Roberts is keeping busy. Besides updating his video blog on MASNsports.com, Roberts will be in studio tonight for the entire O's Xtra pre-game show on MASN2 that begins at 7:30 p.m. I'm told that Roberts will provide an update on his injured back, perhaps giving us a better idea when he might resume baseball activities. He'll also break down the top second basemen and leadoff hitters in the game. Brian Roberts breaks down the AL East's second basemen He used...

For the Orioles: CF Adam Jones RF Nick Markakis C Matt Wieters 3B Miguel Tejada 2B Ty Wigginton DH Garrett Atkins 1B Rhyne Hughes LF Nolan Reimold SS Cesar Izturis RHP Brad Bergesen For the Twins: CF Denard Span 2B Orlando Hudson 1B Justin Morneau DH Jim Thome RF Michael Cuddyer LF Jason Kubel C Wilson Ramos SS Alexi Casilla 3B Nick Punto RHP Carl Pavano Note: Injured second baseman Brian Roberts will serve as an analyst on tonight's O's Xtra pre-game show on MASN2.

Nats left-hander Scott Olsen gets the start tonight against the Braves' veteran Tim Hudson as the Nats look for their fifth series win of the season. Olsen, coming off a lights out performance in the win over Florida last Friday night, is 7-1. He tossed six innings and allowed five hits and no earned runs, while striking out four and walking three. He has a current 13-inning scorelesss streak. Catcher Wil Nieves likes what he has seen so far from Olsen: "He has been attacking the strike...

On Thursday afternoon, Nationals players Willie Harris, Wil Nieves and Alberto Gonzalez visited the Capital Area Food Bank to help with meal preparation for hungry families in Washington D.C. They were joined by their wives, Trey Harris, Yormarie Nieves and Elaine Gonzalez. Founded in 1980, the Food Bank is the largest supplier of food to those suffering from hunger in the Washington metro area. With a network of over 700 feeding programs and direct service programs, the Capital Area Food...

Right-hander Ryan Berry, the O's ninth-round pick out of Rice last June, is on some pitching roll right now for the Delmarva Shorebirds. Berry pitched seven scoreless last night vs. Savannah, giving up just three hits with ten strikeouts. Over his last three starts, Berry has pitched 21 innings, allowing just 12 hits and one run, with four walks to 25 strikeouts. He is 0-1, 2.23 in six starts on the season. The 21-year-old Berry gave up four runs in the first inning of his third start of...

If you're still not sure what to do with your Thursday night, head to the Hightopps Backstage Grille on York Road in Timonium tonight to meet former Oriole Al Bumbry. Bumbry will be at Hightopps from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. as the O's take on the Minnesota Twins at the new Target Field in Minneapolis. So if you're still looking for something to do tonight, head out to Hightopps to meet Al Bumbry and catch the Orioles game on MASN 2 and MASN 2 HD with a restaurant full of your fellow O's...

I tapped on my horn earlier today to alert the pickup truck in front of me that the light had changed to green about 30 seconds earlier and he might want to step on the gas. Then I noticed the large sticker on the back of his vehicle that promoted his status as a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Luke Scott's still in Minnesota, right? Hall of Famer Eddie Murray makes his MASN broadcast debut tomorrow night, and he'll work the final three games of the Twins series. He'll...

When the Orioles embarked on their road trip, I told a few people that I'd be satisfied with the club taking one of three from the Yankees and splitting with the Twins. I wasn't reaching for the stars. I get dizzy just standing on my toes. The Orioles were swept in the Bronx, so that goal's already been shattered. Now I want three of four in Minnesota. It shouldn't be so hard...except the Twins just swept the Tigers, they've scored two runs in the first inning in six consecutive games...