Orioles having a Teagarden party (O's lead 4-3)

Before today, Orioles backup catcher Taylor Teagarden was 6-for-48 this season. Plenty of fans questioned why Matt Wieters needed a day off following last night's game, with an open date on the schedule Thursday. Manager Buck Showalter wants to give players back-to-back days off to freshen their legs. He also consulted with a psychic late last night who told him that Teagarden would collect three hits today. I made up the last part. Actually, Showalter is the psychic - except when it's time to bring in his closer. I kid, I kid. Anyway, Teagarden is 3-for-3 while batting seventh today. It's his first three-hit game since July 1, 2011 when he played for the Rangers. In other news, shortstop J.J. Hardy extended his hitting streak to 11 games and Chris Tillman is trying to hold a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning. His pitch count is mounting. He's flirting with 100 the way I flirt with a pretty waitress. The only difference is he won't be inclined to overtip. Wilson Betemit is batting third and serving as the designated hitter at Double-A Bowie today. He's moved up from Single-A Frederick after moving up from the Gulf Coast League. Update: Tillman is done after six innings. His only strikeout came on his 104th pitch to end the sixth. Tillman allowed two runs and five hits, with three walks and a strikeout. Brian Matusz has replaced him. Yep, it's bullpen time, kids. The one strikeout ties Tillman's season low. He also had one on June 19 in Detroit. The Orioles have seven quality starts in their last nine games. Update II: The Orioles no longer can avoid playing close games. The tension has to build or it's not a normal day. Pinch-hitter Tony Campana reached on a bunt single, and Darren O'Day replaced Matusz. Campana stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Martin Prado's single to reduce the lead to 4-3. O'Day walked Paul Goldschmidt before retiring the next to batters, which takes us to the top of the eighth inning.