First inning bites Tillman again, but O's knock out Rodriguez (Tillman done)

PITTSBURGH - Chris Davis' home run streak ended tonight at three consecutive at-bats. He grounded out to end the top of the first inning and strand Nick Markakis at third base. David did produce the tying run in the top of the second with an infield hit. They don't all have to travel 400 feet. Davis was retired in the first inning on a 75 mph curveball from Pirates left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. Has anyone called him "Magic Wandy," or am I the first? If so, it's because he made the Pirates' four-run lead disappear. The Orioles sent 11 batters to the plate in the top of the second and took a 6-4 lead. More on that later. Chris Tillman threw 49 pitches in a 24-minute first inning in Game 2 of a May 1 doubleheader against the Pirates at Camden Yards. He needed 34 to get through the first tonight with the Orioles losing 4-0. Tillman walked leadoff hitter Josh Harrison and surrendered a RBI double to Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen is 16-for-32 lifetime against the Orioles after launching a ball over Markakis' head in right field. The Pirates weren't done. Far from it. Pedro Alvarez singled and two runs scored on Starling Marte's triple. Marte came home on Ike Davis' single. Tillman issued a two-out walk to No. 8 hitter Tony Sanchez. For whatever reason, Rodriguez was hacking at the first pitch and grounded out. Tillman has allowed 11 runs in the first inning this season and six in the second. The Royals couldn't touch him in his last start. Tillman surrendered five hits in his first career nine-inning shutout. The Orioles didn't have anyone warming in the bullpen tonight as Tillman struggled to get through the first. The Pirates weren't as patient with Rodriguez, who threw 61 pitches in 1 2/3 innings. Nelson Cruz led off the second with his 14th home run, a line drive into the left field seats. J.J. Hardy doubled and Jonathan Schoop reached on an infield hit, and Rodriguez's throwing error with one out allowed Tillman to reach and load the bases. Tillman is credited with a sacrifice after laying down a bunt between the mound and home plate. Markakis followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to reduce the Pirates' lead to 4-2. Manny Machado delivered an RBI double, Adam Jones walked for the first time since April 19 and Davis tied the game with his slow roller to short. Cruz followed with a ground ball that ricocheted off third base and bounced into left field for a two-run double, giving him 41 RBIs on the season. Cruz now has 43 home runs and 122 RBIs in his last 162 games played, including tonight, dating back to Sept. 24, 2012. The Orioles tied their season high for runs in an inning. They also totaled six on April 23 in the fifth inning against Toronto. This also marked the shortest start of season by an Orioles opponent. Clay Buchholz went 2 1/3 innings on April 21. The last time an opposing starter failed to go two innings? Cleveland's Justin Masterson lasted one inning on Sept. 2, 2013, but his removal was injury-related. Update: Tillman faced four batters in the second without recording an out, and the Pirates reclaimed the lead, 8-6. Tillman is charged with eight runs (six earned) and six hits in one inning, with three walks and one strikeout. He threw 44 pitches, 23 for strikes. This is second-shortest start of Tillman's career. He lasted only two-thirds of an inning on July 16, 2012 in Minnesota. Tonight's start is the shortest by an Oriole since that night. Davis committed a fielding error in the second that led to two unearned runs. Brad Brach replaced Tillman and allowed two hits. T.J. McFarland is scheduled to start Friday for Triple-A Norfolk, but he could be recalled on Thursday and serve as a much-needed long man in the bullpen. Suk-min Yoon left tonight's game in the fifth inning after being hit by a comebacker.