Chris Tillman talks about his excellent outing against Atlanta

Chris Tillman was one out from a complete-game shutout, but when manager Buck Showalter called for Zach Britton to get the last out tonight, Tillman left the mound to a standing ovation.

"It's awesome," he said. "Our fans have always done that for us. They're consistently good. Any player would appreciate that."

The fans appreciated what Tillman did tonight, pitching 8 2/3 scoreless innings on four hits as the Orioles beat Atlanta 2-0. Tillman, who needed just 95 pitches tonight, improved to 8-7 with an ERA of 4.35. Tillman didn't need more than 13 pitches in any inning. He didn't walk a batter, fanned two and retired the side in order five times.

"I felt my command from the get-go was good, better to arm-side than glove side," Tillman said. "I think my changeup is what got me through that start. I made some good pitches early and late when need be."

Even though he turned it over to Britton, who recorded his 22nd consecutive save and 26th for the year, Tillman wanted to try for the complete game.

"Bad. Bad. Always do," he said.

Seeing how well Tillman is pitching now, it might be hard to remember he had an ERA of 5.94 at the end of May. But over his past three starts, he has allowed just one run and seven hits in 23 2/3 innings. Over his last six starts, he is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.08.

"I don't think confidence is ever an issue," he said. "Early in the season, it wasn't going well, but I felt like it was really close. I felt like I was one pitch away at all times. I don't know (if I'm a slow starter). I am not trying any harder than I was early in the season."

Is Tillman throwing better now than he was in the second half last year when he went 6-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 14 second-half starts?

"I don't know to be honest," he said. "I'm just focused on making my pitches and getting ready for the next one."

The Orioles have now won five in a row as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches on Friday. Manager Buck Showalter and the players keep talking about trying to keep the team together. For now, they all know winning is the only thing.

"It's important," Tillman said. "We did struggle early on. When we play good as a team we know we'll have a chance every day and that is important. Can't stop now. Buck is always preaching to us the answers are in this clubhouse. We are firm believers in that. When it is not going well, we know we need to play better. Everybody in here has said that."

There was, of course, plenty of praise heading Tillman's way in the clubhouse tonight.

"Awesome," shortstop J.J. Hardy said. "I don't know how many starts it is, but he's been great. Tonight he was awesome - working fast, getting ahead. He was mixing all his pitches. He was fun to play behind tonight. No one worried about Tilly. He had a couple hiccups, but this is the pitcher he is."

Hardy was asked if the Orioles winning at the right time.

"No, not necessarily for trades. We just know we need to get hot. If we do, we have a really good chance to get to the postseason. This is a good start. We've all known we're capable, but just were inconsistent," he said.

Catcher Matt Wieters said he was never concerned about Tillman even as his ERA was inflated earlier in the year.

"I think everyone knew Tilly at the beginning was not what we were used to seeing," Wieters said. "We knew he'd get back there with his work ethic and his mentality. Tonight, he had all four of his pitches working. He just sticks to it and trusts the process. That can be tough to do when you have a rough outing. There was no one in this clubhouse that was worried about him at the beginning of the year."

Wieters badly wanted the complete game as well.

"Tough. Especially, you know, a guy gets on base it might be his last guy," he said. "Wanted to try and get that last out for him. (Cameron) Maybin just hit a ball down the line. You know, when you have Zach out there, you feel comfortable turning it over to him. At the same time, as a catcher, you want your CG for your pitcher."