Tillman gone after 3 2/3 innings

I didn't make it back home from Bowie before Chris Tillman had walked off the mound for the last time. Tillman lasted only 3 2/3 innings in today's start in Kansas City, allowing eight runs and 10 hits to raise his ERA to 7.16. I wonder if manager Buck Showalter will mention pitch sequences again in his post-game session with the media. Tillman threw a flat breaking ball on a 2-2 count to the Royals' No. 8 hitter, Brayan Pena, in the fourth inning. He threw the same pitch with the count full, resulting in a leadoff walk. A single, sacrifice bunt and doubles by Melky Cabrera and Billy Butler ended Tillman's day. I don't know whether backup catcher Jake Fox called for those breaking balls or whether Tillman shook him off, but the right-hander needs to trust his fastball in that situation. Fox threw the ball over Tillman's head after one pitch, which pretty much summed up their afternoon. Josh Rupe replaced Tillman and apparently crossed up his catcher, leading to a mound conference. Meanwhile, Bruce Chen is vying for the slo-pitch ERA title. Nick Markakis has two more hits today, and Adam Jones drove in a run. It hasn't all been bad this afternoon - just the vast majority of it. One last note on Alfredo Simon: He's scheduled to pitch again on Wednesday in another early game at Bowie.