Tonight's pitchers: Tillman vs. Purcey

RHP Chris Tillman (2-3, 4.50) tonight will make his 11th Major League start of the year, his 6th on the road and his 2nd this year vs. Toronto. Tillman is coming off his best start of the year in the big leagues. He did not get a decision Wednesday vs. Tampa, but allowed just one run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. For the first time in 28 starts this year between Norfolk and Baltimore he failed to strike out a batter. Tillman said he took something off his velocity in that game in order to better command his pitches. Tillman, 2009: First two starts: 6.75 ERA Last eight starts: 3.99 ERA Last two starts: 3.86 ERA Tillman has recorded two quality starts on the year and has wins over the Angels and Yankees. The Orioles are 4-6 when he starts. Right-handed batters have hit .349 off him while lefties bat just .233. In five road starts, Tillman is 1-2, 4.97. Tillman made one start this year vs. Toronto and did not get a decision on August 8th. In 6 2/3 innings he allowed just four hits and two runs, throwing 110 pitches. LHP David Purcey (0-2, 6.32) tonight will make his 7th Major League start of this season, his 4th at home and the 2nd of his career vs. the Orioles. Purcey made five starts in April, before he was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. He returned to the Jays this month and made a start last Monday. In that outing at Detroit, he allowed five hits and two runs over 5 2/3, throwing 96 pitches. Right-handed batters are hitting .309 off Purcey this year with lefties hitting just .136. In three home starts, he is 0-0, 5.62. Purcey by pitch count: Pitches 1-25: opponent avg of .158 Pitches 26-50: opponent avg of .200 Pitches 51-75: opponent avg of .385. In 24 starts this year at Triple-A, the 27-year-old Purcey went 9-6, 4.46 in 139 innings. He is 0-0, 10.80 in one career start vs. the O's. On September 17, 2008 he pitched five innings and gave up 11 hits and six runs.