Tillman throws 42 pitches in 2 2/3 innings at Bowie (with quotes)

BOWIE - Chris Tillman's first rehab start tonight at Double-A Bowie lasted 2 2/3 innings and 42 pitches. He departed with two Richmond Flying Squirrels on base and two outs, and reliever Lucas Long stranded them.

Tillman didn't appear to be laboring due to the right shoulder at any point, which was the most important development.

The Richmond Squirrels managed one run off Tillman on a home run by Carlos Garcia with one out in the top of the first inning. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out three.

Tillman threw 12 of his 15 pitches for strikes in the first inning. He was mixing in all of his pitches, including a slider that Garcia lined over the right field fence.

The home run came on the fifth pitch of the game. Tillman's fastball climbed out of the high 80's near the end of the inning.

Tillman struck out leadoff hitter Slade Heathcott on three pitches and Chris Shaw on seven to close the inning. Miguel Gomez grounded to third baseman Drew Dosch.

Tillman retired the side in order in the second inning on a liner to second baseman Garabez Rosa, a strikeout of Matt Winn and a ground ball to shortstop Erick Salcedo that Tillman almost deflected with his foot.

Fourteen pitches were thrown in the second, seven for strikes, to raise his total to 29. His fastball topped out at 90 mph.

The third inning began with T.J. Bennett grounding to short on Tillman's third pitch, all of them strikes. Rando Moreno walked on four pitches and Heathcott lined a single into right field on Tillman's next offering. Garcia flied to right field on Tillman's 42nd pitch (25 strikes) - the Orioles wanted to keep him around 45 - and Baysox manager Gary Kendall motioned to his bullpen.

The Orioles are expected to transfer Tillman to Single-A Frederick for his next start. They'd like to activate him for a May 2 start if his shoulder continues to respond favorably.

Orioles representatives at tonight's game include director of minor league operations Kent Qualls and scout Dean Albany. Former Orioles B.J. Surhoff and Terry Crowley, who work as instructors, also are at Bowie.

The Flying Squirrels pitching coach is former Orioles reliever Steve Kline.

Update: One scout had Tillman's fastball topping at 90 mph.

Tillman expects to start Saturday for Single-A Frederick, his pitch count around 55. He hasn't been told anything official.

On how he felt: "Pretty good. As of right now, looking forward, I feel good. It's going well. Tough getting loose, but other than that, when I'm loose I'm good to go."

Oh whether it felt like his first spring training start: "Yeah. I feel like my timing was a little off. Mechanics were good, but my timing was off. It will be there for some pitches and then just kind of goes. Getting my timing back and getting into the flow of things and keep making pitches."

On whether it's all physical or also mental: "There's a lot of it that's mental, I think. I think there is with any injury, regardless of what it is. I think that's the most important part is getting past that. The mental hurdles. I feel like the physical part you can work through, but ... I'm not saying I'm mentally weak or anything. I think that's a big part of it."

On whether he got stronger as game progressed: "I felt pretty good throughout. I think the first inning was probably my best inning pitch-wise. Obviously, the guy put a good swing on the ball. Not a whole lot you can do about that. I feel like pitch-wise the first inning was pretty good.

"I kind of got sped up there in the third inning. I would have liked to have that one over again. Nothing wrong with that. You just want to go out and make pitches. I felt pretty good for the most part."

On being around the young Baysox: "Awesome. That's a good part about this game. You get to stay close with a lot of the guys that you come up with and even the guys that are coming up behind you. I feel like there's a good relationship because in this game, especially on this team, we know that a lot of these guys are probably going to be there shortly, too. I feel like everyone has a pretty good relationship. We all know each other and it feels good to be around them."

On importance of feeling good in morning: "The day after is probably the most important part of it. Obviously, you want to go out and feel good while you're pitching, but I think the recovery is a big part of an injury. I normally tend to recover pretty good."

On how to gauge what's regular soreness: "That's all new for me, so I'm kind of learning along with this process. Pretty much everyone is. I couldn't tell you what's normal and what's not, but as far as I'm concerned, everything has been normal so far. It was after the one down there in Florida and I'm sure it will be tomorrow."

On resiliency of Orioles without Tillman and Zach Britton: "That's a good team, that's a good clubhouse. I don't think there's any secrets what that team's capable of, especially with the atmosphere in the clubhouse. I think they've been playing well and it's fun to watch. I haven't missed a pitch."