Nick in the day (updated with Tillman's line)

The long-awaited resurgence of Nick Markakis' bat may be underway. Maybe now I won't get any comments from fans that want him waived to help the club get out from under his contract. After driving in two runs last night, one with a homer, Markakis has singled in his first two trips this afternoon at Kansas City. His average is now at .229, meaning plenty of more hits should be forthcoming as well over the next few weeks. Have I mentioned six or eight or 20 times recently that I feel no need to worry about this guy? Markakis has now hit safely in five of his last six games with eight hits over 25 at-bats for a .320 average in that span. It's coming together slowly, but perhaps coming together nonetheless. He now has five RBIs over his previous four games. His two hits today gives him three games with two hits over his last four contests. Markakis began today batting .231 against left-handed pitchers, .208 versus right-handers and batting .200 at 5-for-25 with runners in scoring position. But he will need some help today.The Orioles now trail the Royals 7-1 in the fourth. Melky Cabrera's two-run double in the fourth just extended KC's lead. Update: A day to forget for Chris Tillman ended for him when Bily Butler doubled to drive in K.C.'s eighth run in the game in the last of the fourth. Tillman was awful today, pitching 3 2/3, allowing 10 hits, eight runs, all earned with one walk and three strikeouts. He threw 79 pitches as his ERA jumped to 7.16. Of the 10 hits he gave up, five were doubles. The Orioles trail 8-1 in the fifth.