Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> Before he had even arrived at Nationals Park for his first big-league game, center fielder Roger Bernadina had the luxury of knowing the starting job was his.</div>Bernadina, who was hitting .325 at Class AA Harrisburg (Penn.), was called up Saturday night after Lastings Milledge went on the disabled list with a right groin injury. He started in center and led off for Washington on Sunday, and manager Manny Acta said the 24-year-old will stay in those spots most of the time he is in the majors. That's both a reflection of how decimated the Nationals' lineup is because of injuries and how much of an emphasis they're placing on player development in the second half of a season that already appears lost. "These guys know that if you perform, we'll give you a chance," general manager Jim Bowden said. "We've been very clear what our long-term plan is, which is building through development and scouting. If you can perform, we'll give you a shot." Bernadina's entrance comes at a time when the team is starting to see signs of improvement from some of the young players it let struggle through the beginning of the season, namely Milledge, Elijah Dukes and Jesus Flores. Those three players figure to be a big part of the Nationals future, and Dukes and Flores will be Washington's third and fourth hitters for at least another week with Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns on the disabled list. Before he got hurt, Milledge was in the third spot. "You watched at the beginning of the year, the lumps we took with Elijah and Lastings as they were developing. The last month, we've seen signs of what their potential is," Bowden said. "We think this is the kind of year, with the injuries we've had, if you're going to break young guys in, let's do it right now." NATIONALS 3, ORIOLES 2 (12 innings): Both Jason Bergmann and Jeremy Guthrie allowed one run in seven innings, with the Nationals' score off Guthrie coming after he loaded the bases in the first inning and Bernadina scored on Aaron Boone's fielder's choice. Luke Scott hit a 1-2 fastball off Bergmann in the seventh inning for his 14th homer of the year. Then, after the Orioles put two runners on base off Luis Ayala, Joel Hanrahan entered the game and struck out Scott for the second out of the 12th inning. But after he worked Adam Jones to two strikes, Jones reached low and punched a fastball to right to score Markakis, who got a great jump on the ball and slid into home well in advance of Elijah Dukes' throw. But even with two outs in the bottom of the 12th, Washington wasn't done. Dmitri Young drew a walk, and Ronnie Belliard pulled a 1-2 slider from George Sherrill into the left-field stands. It was Washington's eighth walk-off win of the season, and second among their four wins in the nine-game homestand.

Before he had even arrived at Nationals Park for his first big-league game, center fielder Roger Bernadina had the luxury of knowing the starting job was his.

Bernadina, who was hitting .325 at Class AA Harrisburg (Penn.), was called up Saturday night after Lastings Milledge went on the disabled list with a right groin injury. He started in center and led off for Washington on Sunday, and manager Manny Acta said the 24-year-old will stay in those spots most of the time he is in the majors.

That's both a reflection of how decimated the Nationals' lineup is because of injuries and how much of an emphasis they're placing on player development in the second half of a season that already appears lost.

"These guys know that if you perform, we'll give you a chance," general manager Jim Bowden said. "We've been very clear what our long-term plan is, which is building through development and scouting. If you can perform, we'll give you a shot."

Bernadina's entrance comes at a time when the team is starting to see signs of improvement from some of the young players it let struggle through the beginning of the season, namely Milledge, Elijah Dukes and Jesus Flores. Those three players figure to be a big part of the Nationals future, and Dukes and Flores will be Washington's third and fourth hitters for at least another week with Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns on the disabled list. Before he got hurt, Milledge was in the third spot.

"You watched at the beginning of the year, the lumps we took with Elijah and Lastings as they were developing. The last month, we've seen signs of what their potential is," Bowden said. "We think this is the kind of year, with the injuries we've had, if you're going to break young guys in, let's do it right now."

NATIONALS 3, ORIOLES 2 (12 innings): Both Jason Bergmann and Jeremy Guthrie allowed one run in seven innings, with the Nationals' score off Guthrie coming after he loaded the bases in the first inning and Bernadina scored on Aaron Boone's fielder's choice.

Luke Scott hit a 1-2 fastball off Bergmann in the seventh inning for his 14th homer of the year. Then, after the Orioles put two runners on base off Luis Ayala, Joel Hanrahan entered the game and struck out Scott for the second out of the 12th inning. But after he worked Adam Jones to two strikes, Jones reached low and punched a fastball to right to score Markakis, who got a great jump on the ball and slid into home well in advance of Elijah Dukes' throw.

But even with two outs in the bottom of the 12th, Washington wasn't done. Dmitri Young drew a walk, and Ronnie Belliard pulled a 1-2 slider from George Sherrill into the left-field stands. It was Washington's eighth walk-off win of the season, and second among their four wins in the nine-game homestand.