Tillman time again

Over the winter he was considered likely to begin the 2010 season in the Orioles starting rotation. But that didn't happen and now today, 22-year-old right-hander Chris Tillman makes his first Major League start of the year. Tillman was having a real solid year at Triple-A, highlighted by his no-hitter on April 28 at Gwinnett. That outing seemed to turn his season around. Tillman was only 1-3, 6.11 when he took the mound that night vs. the Braves affiliate. Over ten starts with Norfolk, Tillman was 5-4, 3.12. Over 57 2/3, he allowed 55 hits with just four homers. He walked 12 and fanned 47 with a batting average against of .250. Lefty batters hit .242 vs. him, righties batted .256 and he gave up an average of just .182 when pitching with runners in scoring position. Other numbers on Tillman from Triple-A this year: First four starts: 1-3, 6.11. Last six starts: 4-1, 1.80 and allowed 2 ER or less in five of six starts. Last two starts: Gave up just 1 ER over 13 innings. Allowed two walks or less: Did that in 10 of 10 starts. Went seven innings or more: In four starts. Tillman threw 105, 112 and 117 pitches over his last three Norfolk starts. He went 2-5, 5.40 in 12 Major League starts last year. He struggled with the longball, allowing 15 homers over 65 innings. The Orioles went 4-8 when he started. In two starts vs. Toronto, he was 0-1, 4.63. Tillman gave up 10 ER over his last two starts in 2009 over seven innings as his ERA jumped from 4.50 to its final mark of 5.40. From the MASNSports.com archives, here are some notes with some audio from the game in April where Tillman pitched the no-hitter.