Tillman scuffling and surviving (updated twice)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 31, 2010, 8:23am

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How are the Twins only leading by one run? Chris Tillman threw 27 pitches in the third inning, 16 for strikes. His count is up to 72. The Twins have four hits and three walks. They're working Tillman hard. But they're only ahead, 1-0. Tillman will come back out for the fourth, but he's not going deep in this game. The Orioles don't have a baserunner through three innings. Scott Baker has struck out four. Update: Now that's more like it. Tillman threw seven strikes among his eight pitches in an easy fourth inning. He struck out Matt Tolbert for the second time. Tillman has thrown 80 pitches, 47 for strikes. Update II: Brian Roberts again fell behind, 0-2, to Twins starter Scott Baker. He fouled off a pitch to stay alive, checked his swing on a ball and struck out for the second time. Roberts also has caught a popup, fielded a ground ball, covered second on a force play and tagged out a runner trying to steal. Shortstop Alexi Casilla robbed Miguel Tejada of a hit. And the Orioles desperately need one. It should be noted that, while Tillman is struggling, he's also been squeezed by the plate umpire a few times. He can't be happy with the strike zone. Even so, he hasn't been sharp.