Chris Tillman on his outing, Chris Davis on missed chances

On a day that first baseman Chris Davis returned to the Orioles lineup today and hit a solo home run, he also struck out in the sixth and ninth innings with men on base. It was a day where Orioles pitchers walked nine and the bats didn't do quite enough. The Los Angeles Angels beat the Orioles 5-4 at Camden Yards.

With eight losses in the last 12 games, the Orioles have gone from 56-56 to 60-64 and they are starting to drift back in the chase for an American League wild card spot.

They have also failed to win any of their last four series after they won the first game in each of the series. But they went 1-2 against the Angels, 2-2 versus the Athletics, 1-2 against the Mariners and 1-2 versus the Angels.

Time is dwindling in a season of missed chances, especially these last four series.

"Yeah, absolutely," Davis said. "Anytime you can get the first game of the series, you know you are looking pretty good to, if not split, win the series. Obviously, when we win the first game, we are not trying to split. Unfortunately today, the way the ball caromed off the wall and actually went into the stands on a ball Trumb (Mark Trumbo) hit, just kind of one of those things. We gave ourselves a chance and battled to the last out. Just got to find a way to push that run across late, myself included."

The Orioles can't seem to get past the .500 mark - or even reach it lately. It continues to be a step forward and then one or two back for the 2017 Orioles.

"It's kind of been the story of the whole year for us," Davis said. "There have just been games we let slip away and couldn't close out, whether it is scoring a run or tacking on a few runs. Giving ourselves some breathing room.

"What is going to define us this year is whether or not we can make that push and start winning those games. We are getting down to pretty crucial times when we need to start winning games and making a move."

That includes two series with the Angels over the past two weeks. A club the Orioles are trying to catch and pass for a playoff berth and they went 1-2 in each series.

"Anytime you are in a playoff race with one or two teams you are playing down the stretch, you want to win those games," Davis said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to win today and get the series win. We have to find ways to, like I said, score that extra run and close out some of these games if we want a shot at the postseason and if we want do well in the postseason."

On the mound today, right-hander Chris Tillman made his first start since Aug. 3. He went 5 1/3 innings and gave up four hits, four runs and six walks. The walk total matched his career high, not done since Sept. 19, 2010. He threw just 49 strikes among 99 pitches.

"Probably should have been much better," Tillman said of his no-decision. "If I even cut the walks in half, it could have been a different ballgame. That is too many. Too many to try and pitch out of. You can't expect to win a game walking that many."

Tillman made two bullpen appearances before re-entering the rotation today. He felt some of the side work he did when not in the rotation showed up at times this afternoon. There was progress, he felt.

"Yeah, actually a lot of it did," he said. "It just didn't all come together. Random spots here and there, it got away. But it's to the point now where I feel it and I can get out of it for a little bit and then get back on track. Get out of it and then fight back in. To the point now where I feel it, I kind of know what is going on and able to make some adjustments."

With an ERA of 7.75 this late in the season, this is turning into a lost year for Tillman. He was asked today if he is certain he will bounce back in the future.

"Absolutely. I don't think it's gone anywhere," he said. "I just haven't pitched well. It's still there. I mean, I think what I learned those two games I had in the bullpen is the stuff is still there. Just got to relax and make pitches. Stay within yourself and try to execute as much as possible."

Today, three of the nine walks issued by O's pitchers scored, including a leadoff walk Brad Brach issued in the eighth to Kole Calhoun. He would score later in the inning on Cameron Maybin's pinch-hit RBI single to break the 4-4 tie.

The Orioles scored three in the sixth today to tie the game 4-4, but stranded five runners over the last four innings. They fall to 13-15 in one-run games. The 11 homers the Orioles allowed this weekend is the most in a three-game set since they gave up 12 versus the St. Louis Cardinals June 16-18.