Tillman escapes jam, Jones hits home run (updated)

Since July 4, 2012, Chris Tillman's 21 wins are tied with the Cardinals' Adam Wainright for the second-most in the majors behind the Tigers' Max Scherzer (23). Tillman is attempting tonight to become the Orioles' first 13-game winner since Erik Bedard in 2007. The last Orioles starter to pick up his 12th win on or before July 21, as Tillman did, was Sidney Ponson on July 10, 2003. Yes, that's a Bedard and Ponson reference in the same blog entry. In the same paragraph of the same blog entry. It's going to be an interesting night. Ponson was also the last Orioles starter to record his 13th win on or before July 26. He did it on July 19, 2003. Tillman wasn't particularly sharp in the first inning tonight, loading the bases with two outs on a single and two walks, but he struck out Daniel Nava on three pitches - the last a 92 mph fastball. Jacoby Ellsbury flied to the track in front of the Orioles bullpen and Shane Victorino lined to left before the next three Red Sox reached base. Adam Jones ran down Ellsbury's fly ball, and he gave Tillman a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with his 21st home run of the season. Jones lined a 92 mph fastball over the out-of-town scoreboard in right field after Nick Markakis singled with two outs. Matt Wieters worked Boston starter John Lackey for 10 pitches before flying to left field to end the inning. Lackey's already thrown 30 pitches, eight more than Tillman. Update: Nate McLouth tripled to lead off the bottom of the third, and he scored on Manny Machado's single into center field for a 3-0 lead. Machado was 1-for-17 before that at-bat. He also should have walked after McLouth's triple, but plate umpire Laz Diaz called a strike on a pitch that missed inside. Tillman has retired seven in a row as we head to the top of the fourth.