Notes on Tillman, Machado, Schoop, Britton, Matusz and more

I loaded up my morning blog entry on information related to Chris Tillman's one-hit gem last night against the Tigers at Comerica Park. As it turns out, there's more stuff to pass along.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Tillman is the only Orioles pitcher since the franchise relocated to Baltimore in 1954 to allow a hit to the opposition's leadoff batter and finish at least eight innings without surrendering another hit. He also did it on Sept. 28, 2012.

Tillman and Joe Kennedy are the only pitchers to hold the Tigers to one hit over eight scoreless innings at Comerica Park.

Third baseman Manny Machado collected his 20th home run Saturday night. Per Elias, Machado is the second player in the last 30 years to hit at least 20 home runs in a season for the Orioles at age 23 or younger, along with Nick Markakis, who hit 23 at age 23 in 2007.

Boog Powell owns the highest home run total for an Orioles player 23 or younger with 39 in 1964. Powell was a left fielder, by the way. Hard for me to imagine, though I did watch Greg Luzinski play left field for many years, so anything is possible.

According to STATS and the SABR Home Run Log, Machado became the youngest Oriole to hit his 20th home run of the season since shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. belted his 20th on Aug. 29, 1983.

Since returning from the disabled list on July 5, second baseman Jonathan Schoop is 9-for-28 (.321) with two home runs, four RBIs and a stolen base. He's hit safely in six of his eight games.

Schoop recorded his fifth multi-hit game of the season Saturday night and his third since coming off the disabled list.

Not only did closer Zach Britton record his 24th save last night, converting his 20th opportunity in a row, he also lowered his ERA to 1.67 with seven earned runs allowed in 37 2/3 innings. He's held opposing batters to a .212 average.

Left-hander Brian Matusz has allowed one earned run over his last 16 appearances, striking out 21 batters in 14 1/3 innings.

Chaz Roe has stranded all 14 inherited runners this season.

Miguel Gonzalez has registered a 3.80 ERA in 12 night starts this season and a 5.85 ERA in four day starts.

The Orioles are 31-5 when Caleb Joseph records at least one RBI in his career and 14-2 when he collects two or more.

Though they went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position last night, the Orioles still rank fourth in the majors with a .284 average, trailing the Blue Jays (.297), Rockies (.291) and Giants (.289). Their stretches of futility have reached 3-for-57 and 9-for-102.

The Orioles still have committed the fewest number of errors in the American League with 39, and they rank second in the majors behind the Dodgers (37). The Orioles lead the AL and are tied for second in the majors with a .988 fielding percentage.

The Orioles also continue to lead the majors with 26 outfield assists. According to FanGraphs, Orioles outfielders rank third in the majors with 24 defensive runs saved.

On this date in Orioles history in 1991, Ripken played in his 1,500th consecutive game and hit his 20th home run of the season in a 4-1 win over the Mariners at Camden Yards to become only the eighth player to reach that total in his first 10 seasons.