Tillman's big day (and Bowie's bad day)

Chris Tillman didn't throw another no-hitter - he's a tough act to follow - but he held Toledo to one run over seven innings in Triple-A Norfolk's 4-1 victory. Tillman allowed four hits, walked one and struck out 10 while improving to 3-3 with a 3.49 ERA. Is he knocking on the door? Tillman's last six outs came via strikeouts. He faced four batters over the minimum. Can you hear him knocking? Tillman is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA, four walks and 24 strikeouts in his last four starts. Knock, knock. Who's there? Brandon Snyder went 2-for-3 with his second home run. He's batting .196. Alberto Castillo got the "hold," though he allowed a hit and walked two in one-third of an inning. Frank Mata picked up his fifth save, striking out three in 1 2/3 innings. It really does Mata. (I just had to write it one more time) Double-A Bowie's pitching was lousy today against Trenton. No other way to put it. How bad was it? Zach Britton, starting for the first time since being hit on the shoulder with a live drive, allowed five earned runs (six total) and threw three wild pitches in five innings. Jim Hoey gave up five runs and three hits, and walked two, in one-third of an inning. Chad Thall surrendered four runs and four hits, and walked one, in two-thirds of an inning. Single-A Frederick's Billy Rowell homered for the second straight game and drove in three runs. He's batting .303. Kenny Moreland (I almost called him "Keith") shut out Wilmington on two hits over seven innings, with one walk and 10 strikeouts. Single-A Delmarva's Tony Butler, part of the Erik Bedard trade, allowed four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also threw a wild pitch and is sporting a 7.61 ERA.