O's game blog: Chris Tillman has a 2.50 ERA at Camden Yards this year

The Orioles need a win tonight at Camden Yards to complete a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds and a 9-2 homestand. Also, a win tonight would clinch a third straight winning season for the Orioles (81-57) for the first time since 1992-94. The last time the Orioles were 25 games over .500 was Oct. 2, 2012. Chris Tillman (11-5, 3.36 ERA) pitches against right-hander Mike Leake (10-11, 3.38 ERA). Tillman is a pitcher on a roll right now. He heads into this start with a streak of 16 consecutive starts allowing three earned runs or fewer since June 10. He is 6-3 with a 2.13 ERA and 13 quality starts during that span. The 16-start streak is tied for the fifth-longest in club history. Dave McNally holds the club record with 25 straight from May 19 to Sept. 8, 1968. Tillman went 4-0 with an ERA of 1.33 in six August starts. Over 40 2/3 innings, he gave up 25 hits with seven walks, 33 strikeouts and a .176 batting average against. In addition to that, Tillman is 4-5 with a 2.50 ERA at home this year. That is the lowest single-season ERA by an Oriole starter at Camden Yards (minimum 60 innings). The Orioles are 20-9 when Tillman starts in 2014 and he has recorded a team-leading 18 quality starts. Earlier today, the Orioles announced their 2014 award winners for player development and scouting: * Brooks Robinson Player of the Year - Christian Walker (Norfolk/Bowie) * Jim Palmer Pitcher of the Year - Tyler Wilson (Norfolk/Bowie) * Elrod Hendricks Community Service Award - Mark Blackmar (Frederick) * Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award - Delmarva Shorebirds Field Staff * Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award - Jim Richardson Also this afternoon, the Orioles announced they have extended their working agreements with five minor league affiliates. The club signed four-year agreements through the 2018 season with Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie and Single-A Frederick, and two-year agreements through the 2016 season with Single-A Delmarva and short-season Single-A Aberdeen.