Chris Tillman Just What the Orioles Needed

If you told me to pick a young Orioles starter that would falter before the season, my pick would have been Chris Tillman. I have been close to giving up on Tillman numerous times. The guy has thrown a fastball with no movement and looked like he was done many times. However, he worked his behind off in the offseason and really tried to rediscover that top prospect status he had in 2009. Looks like at least for the meantime, it worked.

Today, Chris Tillman did not give up even a single earned run over 8 1/3 as the Orioles won 4-2. The only runs they gave up were due to errors. Tillman pitched the most brilliant game outside of the shutouts this season. He definitely pitched the most brilliant game outside of Chen and Hammel. The youngster had 7 strikeouts in his dominant performance and actually had movement on his pitches. When it was all said and done, Tillman had 125 pitches as he left his ERA at 0.00. Like I said, the move possibly should have been made a month ago, because Tillman was on fire at AAA and our other young starters have been dreadful. At this point in the season, Tillman is our third best starter behind Hammel and Chen.

After the game, Tillman was optioned to AA Bowie. Before you get upset though it wasn't a bad move. This move was just to keep Tillman on schedule. He will pitch Monday for Bowie, during the all-star break and then come back and pitch the 3rd game after the break. After that Chris Tillman shouldn't be going anywhere unless he completely bombs. Great work by Tillman!

The Orioles are using the all-star break as their chance to get back to a 4 man bench. Replacing Tillman is 1st baseman Joe Mahoney, who is already on the 40 man roster. Mahoney possibly is being showcased for a trade, or maybe it was just that he was next in line. Nobody else really fit that was currently on the 40. Personally, I would have gone with LJ Hoes, but Mahoney has experience in the outfield and he can work out there in right. This also saves another 40 man roster move. Let's see what Mahoney can do before the break.

The Orioles move to 2-0 since Avery was called back up, just sayin'

Adam Jones hit his 20th home run of the season.

This game was against the Mariners. Hey, remember when Steve Phillips said the Mariners won the Bedard trade? Hahahahha. Tillman and Jones torched their old team last night.

-Noland