Tonight's game and random notes

The Orioles are set to begin their final series before the All-Star break, hosting the Nationals through the weekend. They haven't announced their starters, but Chris Tillman is expected to pitch tonight.

It's his turn and there are no indications that manager Buck Showalter is pushing him back. Let's run with it.

Tillman has won his last four decisions. He didn't get one in his most recent start against the White Sox after allowing two runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings in the Orioles' 3-2 loss.

Tillman doesn't have a decision in three career starts against the Nationals. He's allowed nine runs and 19 hits in 16 2/3 innings.

Denard Span is 5-for-12 with two doubles against Tillman. Yunel Escobar is 3-for-16.

Escobar is 3-for-7 with a double against closer Zach Britton, 5-for-8 with a home run against Brian Matusz, 8-for-25 with three doubles and two home runs against Tommy Hunter, 1-for-1 with a walk against Chaz Roe and 1-for-10 with a double against Darren O'Day.

Span is 4-for-9 with two triples against Matusz.

Bryce Harper is a career .194/.326/.278 hitter in 10 games against the Orioles, going 7-for-36 with a double, a triple and seven strikeouts. He's got a .167/.250/.222 slash line in five games at Camden Yards, going 3-for-18 with a double and six strikeouts.

The Orioles will try to improve on their 11-8 record against left-handed starters when the Nationals send Gio Gonzalez to the mound. He's 6-4 with a 4.16 ERA in 15 starts this season and has allowed one earned run in his last two games spanning 14 innings.

The venue may not work in his favor. Gonzalez is 4-1 with a 2.44 ERA in seven home starts this season and 2-3 with a 5.89 ERA in eight road starts.

Gonzalez is 1-4 with a 3.80 ERA in seven career starts against the Orioles and 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA in four starts at Camden Yards. Matt Wieters is 8-for-14 with a double and home run against Gonzalez, Steve Pearce is 4-for-9 and Manny Machado is 2-for-5 with a double.

Nolan Reimold, off the paternity list, is 1-for-9 against Gonzalez and Chris Davis is 1-for-9 with four strikeouts.

The Orioles took three of four games from the Nationals last season, going 1-1 in Baltimore. They've won or split each series since 2008.

The Orioles are 26-16 at home this season. The issue is their 17-26 record on the road. They can work on it after the break when they start the second half with trips to Detroit, New York and St. Petersburg.

With eight losses in their last 10 games, the Orioles are in danger tonight of being .500 for the first time since they were 31-31 on June 14. They're 11-12 in one-run games and 7-13 in two-run games.

Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Oliver Drake was placed on the disabled list yesterday, retroactive to Tuesday, with a left torso strain.

Drake allowed three runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings with the Orioles this season. He was 1-1 with a 0.64 ERA and 14 saves in 26 appearances with Norfolk, allowing two runs and striking out 45 batters in 28 innings.

Former Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow last month while pitching for the independent York Revolution, according to an article in the York Daily Record, and he will miss the rest of the season. His career also may be over.

Another former Orioles pitcher, John Habyan, recently was named pitching coach at Hofstra University. Habyan spent 17 seasons as head varsity baseball coach at St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, N.Y.

The Orioles will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cal Ripken, Jr.'s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game on Sept. 1. Ripken will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the 7:05 p.m. game against the Rays as part of the commemorative events planned at Camden Yards.

The Orioles are holding a special 2,131 sweepstakes and fans are encouraged to submit their photos from the historic record-breaking game, record-tying game, other Streak Week games or activities or any photos taken with Ripken on Twitter or Instagram using #My2131. One fan will be chosen to receive four tickets to the Sept. 1 game along with a pr-game, on-field experience and an autographed copy of the Ripken authentic retirement commemorative program.

Also, the 2,131st person to check-in using the MLB Ballpark app the weekend of July 10-12 when the Orioles host the Nationals will win four tickets to the Sept. 1 game and a Ripken autographed commemorative item.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the September 1 game against the Tampa Bay Rays should call 1-888-848-BIRD or visit www.orioles.com/tickets. For additional information, visit www.orioles.com/2131.