O's game blog: Tillman faces Bridwell in series finale

The Orioles have split two games this weekend with the Los Angeles Angels and they host the third and deciding game this afternoon.

After they scored nine runs and won on Manny Machado's walk-off grand slam Friday, they scored one run and lost on Saturday with seven hits and a 1-for-10 performacne with runners in scoring position.

Right-hander Chris Tillman (1-7, 7.83 ERA) makes a return to the rotation today for the first time since Aug. 3. On that date he allowed seven runs (five earned) over two innings versus Detroit.

Tillman has allowed 15 runs in 6 1/3 over his past two starts. That performance got him booted from the rotation. But he pitched twice out of the bullpen, throwing a combined 2 1/3 scoreless innings in games on Aug. 13 and Aug. 16.

Tillman has allowed five or more runs in eight of his 15 starts. He has just three quality starts and the Orioles are 5-10 in his 15 starts.

Meanwhile, the Orioles today face their ninth-round selection from the 2010 draft, right-hander Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.88 ERA), who will be making his 12th start for the Angels.

Over his last two games - versus the Orioles and Mariners - Bridwell has allowed just two runs over 13 innings. On Aug. 8 in Anaheim he won a 3-2 duel with the Orioles and Jeremy Hellickson. Bridwell gave up six hits and one run over seven innings and 85 pitches. After that game he talked about facing and beating the Orioles.

"At the end of the day, obviously, it's a little bit sweeter, but I just had to execute my pitches like a normal start," Bridwell said. "Luckily, I came out and I did that. There are some good friends on that team and it was fun to compete against them."

The Angels acquired Bridwell for a player to be named or cash on April 17. He began this season at the O's Triple-A Norfolk affiliate, but allowed eight runs in four innings in two early April games before the trade. Last season, Bridwell made a his major league debut for the Orioles, but gave up five runs over 3 1/3 innings in two August games.

In five road starts for Los Angeles this season, he is 4-0 with a 1.74 ERA. Since the beginning of July, Bridwell is 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA over seven starts. The Angels are a remarkable 10-1 in his 11 starts and 11-1 in all 12 of his games.

The Orioles are 60-63 and have lost three of four and seven of their past 11 games. They are 2-3 versus the Angels and 36-24 at home.

Los Angeles is 63-60 and has won eight of 10 games. The Angels are 6-2 on their current road trip and 18-13 since the All-Star Game.