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...

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...