After giving up three runs in just 2 1/3 innings tonight, Rich Hill told reporters he's been dealing with shoulder soreness throughout the season. "I don't know what to say really. I've been having some issues with the shoulder. We've been doing a good job of keeping the fire down a bit. Unfortunately it's something where I haven't been able to maintain any consistency. I haven't given help to this team. I apologize to the front office and the guys in this clubhouse. "It's not what I want. I don't want to go out there and shorten the game and use the bullpen every time I take the ball. My plan is to start the game and finish it. "There is some pain in there. It's something I've been dealing with all season. We've got some tendinitis in there. We've been doing a great job of having it ready every fifth day. Doing everything we can in the training room getting ready for that fifth day. It's something that has lingered around." Hill was asked if he might be headed to the disabled list? "I don't know what the next step is going to be," he said. "I don't regret pitching through this and taking the ball. I really don't have any regrets. I go out there and compete and want to pitch. Anyone who is a competitor wants to take the mound. As selfish as that might seem, I still think I can help the team. But I've been hurting the team more than helping it." Hill is trying to stay upbeat. "I am still very confident. We've just been a little off here and there. I've been working hard with Rick Kranitz and Alan Dunn. A few of those pitches tonight weren't bad pitches, I jammed Butler inside and ended up giving up hits. That's the way it goes." Hill has pitched to an ERA of 10.73 over his last six starts and on the year is now 3-3, 7.80.