Tillman's turn to stop skid

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

July 05, 2016, 7:24am

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Chris Tillman needs to play the part of an ace tonight.

Tillman needs to be the April and May version of himself, not the pitcher who's allowed 14 runs and 21 hits in his last three starts over 14 2/3 innings. Not the pitcher with the 5.19 ERA in June.

The Orioles have dropped five in a row and the rotation is a major contributor, totaling only 22 innings and permitting 25 runs. Early leads are lost, followed by more games.

Chris Tillman front trop.jpg Tillman has never faced the Dodgers and he's gone against only five of their batters.

Howie Kendrick is 3-for-8 with a double, Adrian Gonzalez is 1-for-4, Chase Utley is 0-for-3, Will Venable is 0-for-2 with a walk and Chris Taylor walked in his only plate appearance.

Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 16 starts in his rookie season. He's posted a 1.090 WHIP in 92 2/3 innings.

Another first-timer for the Orioles. It's been known to go poorly.

Maeda has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his starts. Left-handers are hitting .200 against him and right-handers are hitting .230.

The Orioles know little about him beyond video and scouting reports.