nolan seems to get walks every game. this is great for a rookie.

.. um... hill on the dl? same thing happened to koji... plays bad, and all the sudden they are hurt and albe to be sent to the dl.. so they can call someone up and not lose a player thru waivers or anything... didn't know mlb worked like that.

i wish the O's could play well consistantly :(

Ithink koji was hurt, hill is just bad. anyway everyone is on tillman yea he was hit hard but as you mentioned the circumstances were bad. It may be worth adding the humidity probably made it hard to throw a curve ball effectively and all pitches probably moved less. Then the balls carried further.

nolan seems to get walks every game. this is great for a rookie.

.. um... hill on the dl? same thing happened to koji... plays bad, and all the sudden they are hurt and albe to be sent to the dl.. so they can call someone up and not lose a player thru waivers or anything... didn't know mlb worked like that.

i wish the O's could play well consistantly :(

Nope, sure dont think Tillman raised the bar too high! Maybe next game, DT will get the thumb out of his ... and match Tillman with a familiar face who knows him, Wieters .... then we will see him dominate or at least get past the 5th and give up only 2 HR's!
Till's will be fine in the long run ....

Speaking of the long run....DT needs to think of whats best to win THIS game/ every game on a daily basis instead of following some inflexable rules ....this is baseball, take advantage of everything you can, go with the odds or anything that may work in your favor.... this is not a factory full of 9-5 workers! Let do whatever is needed to with the game, TODAY!

Tillman looked good at times, except for the 3 gopher balls.

One repeated mistake was that he sailed several pitches high and outside to left-handed batters, including one that really cut loose.

If he settles down, he may make a good pitcher. I don't think he's in the class with Bergesen, or even close to Jeremy Guthrie's command the first 1.5 years at The Yard.

On the other hand, it is his first time out.

I see him as a consitent above average journeyman, a good one, but not a Cy Young candidate. He just doesn't look like he has the tools, in spite of his somewhat dominant numbers in AA and AAA.

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Pete's reply: Now Bruce, that's a lot of conclusions to draw from four innings and change.

The quotes from Hill about a torn labrum (Connolly's report in the Sun) is weird. Is he saying he pitched crappy because of that or that management didn't know about it or what? It's just too weird. I hope the Sun's reporters will follow this and try to shed some light on who knew what about the shoulder injury, or OK-to-pitch-through-it injury, whatever. To repeat, just too weird. Pete, help us on this one.

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Pete's reply: I'm pretty confident that Hill has been getting treatment for some shoulder inflammation, which isn't unusual over the course of the season, so it was either getting worse or was a convenient injury from a roster situation. Only way to get deeper is to put Hill on a polygraph.

Markakis leading off
Roberts 2slot
Jones
Scott
Reimold
Wieters
Huff/? (for now)
Mora/Wiggs (for now)
Izturis

Logiopath....
That is the lamest assessment I've ever heard in my life.
Honestly, do you believe you have any idea what you're talking about?

Greinke hit 2 Orioles batters last night. The response of the O's pitchers? Nothing. Worse, if they had plunked a KC batter late in the game, DT probably would have fined them.

Now like it or not, most winning managers instill a kind of meanness in their team whereby if 2 of your guys get hit, your pitchers know their job is to protect them. Late in a 7-3 game they plunk an opposing batter just to keep the other team honest.

Not with DT, though. "Respect for the game" is more important than winning.

This team needs a new mindset. And it's not gonna happen with DT. Sorry.

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Pete's reply: Jess, I don't know how you could reach this conclusion. Pitchers retaliate when there is an ounce of suspicion that those HBP's were intentional. They do not retaliate because the opposing pitcher is a little wild. Greinke wasn't drilling anybody in a one-run game, so you don't retaliate and get your teammates hurt to show some "meanness." Also, you don't retaliate and give the opposing team free baserunners in a one-run game. When it's the right time, you do what you have to do, but the game situation should be your first test to determine whether an HBP is intentional.

First rule of plunking: don't do it.

Second rule of plunking: never do it if it could cost you a game.

Yes, I know that there is a internal contradiction to those two rules. Live with it.

On a different subject:
The comment "If he settles down, he may make a good pitcher" was made.

OK, I see your point. But I don't think that the poster was paying much attention to the circumstances of a first major-league start, after a rain-delay, not to mention a ton of expectations.

Good job, O's. Let's see some more of what you gave us last night!

Decent outing for a young kid. I believe he was overthrowing and keeping everything but the fastball pretty high.

In the last two months the O's are 10-6 when the opposing pitcher does not figure in the decision. Not bad. Of course they are only 10-22 when the opposing pitcher sticks around long enough for a decision.

Please don't showcase Zaun. He hustles. Besides, he's the best prospect we have to open a food kiosk on Eutaw St to compete with Boog.

Tillman has the potential to be a good pitcher like any rookie pitcher coming up. His numbers are great in the minors but we can’t just assume he’s going to be great in the bigs. This poor kid was so over hyped by readers on here and MASN people were calling him the future ace and so on. I am going to give DT a break on having Zaun catch the game but I still have no idea why Wieters wasn’t playing DH for Huff. Wieters is hot right now and the more ABs this season the better. My only guess (and it’s a big stretch seeing that teams don’t seem to want the guy) is that they were trying to give Huff a chance to look good and draw some interest from teams before the deadline. As for the Orioles and their broken pitchers I don’t really understand that either. With all these rookies you need a few reliable vets in the rotation and it seems management is looking for the total opposite. Eaton and Hendrickson were burned, Hill was damaged goods everyone knew that going in and Koji was too the guy was a closer in Japan but you have to think the marketing/overseas revenue might have compromised their decision making. Simon I am not going to touch that subject. This quirky pitching staff this season is the reason for the bad record hopefully the O’s get at least 1 problem free pitcher (if any will come to Baltimore) to add into this young staff. It really needs at least one.

MASN totally setup Zaun with that charity food drive talk he’s known more now as a cook than player!

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Pete's reply: For those of us who love Mexican food, that's a good thing.

Pete: To change the subject,If Bud Selig re-instates Rose,will he re-instate the Black Sox team and since it will be O.K. to bet on baseball,will the players only be allowed to bet to win?

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Pete's reply: No. 1, I just don't think Bud will do it. No. 2, it's a different situation than the Black Sox, who threw the World Series. Rose wasn't playing when he bet on the Reds (at least from the standpoint of what specifically he was banned for). It's less egregious, but I don't know that changes anything.

I'm usually in favor of keeping players in the minors longer, but now that Tillman is here, I'm eager to see him learn. He is not a savior! If he finishes the year seeing the hitters and parks in the league, adapting to the pace and the athleticism here, and has an era below 5 or so without a lot of bb's, I'll consider it a success and I'll be excited about him next year.

Ghostwheel,

Really those are not the rules, the fact is pitchers have to protect their players. Get real this is something that is part of the game always has and always will be. No you are not going to dust off someone if it is a run that is going to cost you the game, the pitchers will wait for the next opportunity. If a guy hits you with a curve ball because it got away, totally different.

Agreed it was a good game to see a comeback and tacking on runs. I do not see where Tillman has as good as stuff as Hernandez (better movement on fastball) but as pointed out there was a lot of circumstances surrounding last nights game, time will tell. Better then watching the alternative. Too bad the Orioles could not push someone else up in front of him. I guess that McPhail wanted the prize of the Beddard trade on the mound.. Would have never needed to if Koji did not get hurt and Hill could pitch. Hate to see a kid like this get rushed. Would rather see him come in as a long relief guy.

The idea that a pitcher has to fear the consequences if he protects one of his players is outrageous and IMO has to hurt the mentality and spirit of the team. Under a guy like LaRussa, a pitcher would fear the consequences of NOT plunking an opposing player, or at least trying to.

I thought Tillman looked pretty good, even though his command was spotty. Based on his prior start at Norfolk he may have come off top form a bit prior to getting here. But he has plenty of mustard on his fastball and his changeup looked really tough to hit. Given a little time to acclimate I suspect he'll fully justify his advance press clippings.

Pete, this is totally O/T, but did you see the AP story yesterday that a veteran sportswriter for the New Hampshire Union Leader was arrested for allegedly running a prostitution ring? Aren't you guys supposed to report and analyze the news instead of making it?:)

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Pete's reply: These are tough times, I guess.

Fireladdie Thats a great question! Pete-This does deserve an answer

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Pete's reply: I just answered it. Maybe I'll make it a featured post.

I sure hope that Tillman's fastball is better than what we saw last night. He couldn't spot it consistently and there was no movement to be seen. 96 and straight ain't gonna get it done.

It sure was nice, though, to see him paint the corner for a called K on Willingham in the 2nd, immediately following the first homer. He did not seem to get rattled, I will say that.

Hopefully we can get a cleaner look at the kid in a no rain-delay situation. I guess they set it up so he wouldn't have to face Boston this weekend...next start on the road in Detroit. Good luck, Chris - go get 'em!

A few thoughts..

Chris Tillman did not look like the second coming of Jim Palmer, although the mechanics are similar. I was disappointed in his velocity, as I was expecting to see a mid 90's+ fastball, which topped out at 93/94. He will need better command of his breaking ball to be effective in the majors, and he telegraphed it all night. Let's see how he does in subsequent starts, but unless his velocity improves he may not be a top of the rotation starter.

Rich Hill, Kris Benson, Koji Uehara, the list of washed up, injured pitchers that are dumped on the Orioles goes on and on. The Orioles were smart not to try to acquire any name free agent pitchers in the offseason, they would have ended up signing one with his arm hanging off.

Aubrey Huff is right back where he was two years ago, before he was forced to dry out last year because of all of the negative publicity. I wonder if the team does bed checks, I'll bet his is empty at 3:00 AM.

Melvin Mora is done, end of story.

Good ole Trembley. Keep the rookie,who needs at bats on the bench. Give those bats toZAHN . "Showcae Zahn? They have to be kidding.

I dont see how you can truly judge Tillman by last nights game. First of all, it was his FIRST game in th show. Secondly, the rain delay etc.... 3rd, did I mention it was his first game?!

Give him some time to get used to the majors (teamed with Wieters) and he will be fine. He has all the mechanics so now the question is does he have the mental toughness to be successfull? I think so. Remember, he is only...21?...and has always faced bigger and older players throughout his young career. I would not worry about him. He is a winner!

Enough about the O's hitting guys with pitches to protect their players. It's idiotic, between two last place teams. Hitting guys is not actually a big part of the game, although the more bloodthirsty among us may wish it was. And by the way - this year the Os have been hit with pitches 27 times, and hit 37 players on other teams.

In one aspect, Tillman did remind me of Palmer. The solo home runs! Personally, I think the kid has potential. I wish they had left him at AAA.

I didn't see the whole game, but I'd say Tillman did pretty well, considering he only had his fastball working for him last night. People forget he is only 21 and still learning how to pitch. Right now, unless Pete tells us all otherwise, looks like we won't be trading anyone...again...this July 31st. I'd heard there was interest in Pie, and if there is, perhaps he could go in a package deal of some kind. I'm just wondering how long they can keep "Screech" i.e. Jeff Fiorentino, down at AAA. Everytime I read the ON DECK report about Norfolk, Jeff has gone 2-4, 3-4, or 4-4 (last night). Like Reimold, Jeff is making a strong case to be playing on the major league roster. Anyway, nice to see a "W" for a change!

Does anybody really believe that Greinke was throwing at either Mora or Roberts? A pitcher has to be able to pitch inside, and that's all he was doing when Mora was hit in the first inning. At that point, after throwing over 20 pitches and giving up two runs there's no way he's throwing at a hitter to load the bases. Just like there's no way he's throwing at Roberts to lead off the inning in the fifth. Put the leadoff guy on when it's the top of the order in a one run game, on the road, no less? Yes, you need to "protect" your guys from being thrown at, but that wasn't what was happening last night.

I love the JA who after 4 innings of his 1st major league start (insert butterflys) declared in this blog that he sees CT as "above average, better than journeyman but no CYoung stuff" Thanks Pete for addressing this clown's assumptions. I wish I could go down to his workplace and check out his performance. Get Real. Kid had a really nice, above average change up and wasn't afraid to use it, and solid late life on a 94-95 MPH fast ball. Sure he got it up to much and it got hit, and his curve was erratic early but he did return to it and he did keep us in the game. Lighten up Francis!

Greinke wasn't purposely plunking B-Rob. The Royals announcers noted how tough Roberts was, standing in there to take the impact of an inside pitch he could have moved away from, just so he could get a free base. Smart baseball, tough-minded competitor.

Can the idiot Baltimore fans not comment on the pitching if you're going to make stupid comments like "I don't like that Tillman 'only' throwing 93/94." First of all, his fastball topped off at 96 which is more than enough. And this thought that improved velocity would lead to top of the rotation stuff is ludicrous. I would have no problem if movement were an issue as it would prove you had a clue of what you were talking about. As Palmer (who people Tillman are comparing to), always has asserted, movement is more important than velocity. Besides I recall a certain pitcher who retired 45 straight batters with a fastball that barely tops 90.

Please include me on the list of those who are just happy to see the O's pitching staff being filled by solid, young prospects. How in the world can you be upset about Tillman's performance last night or make any determinations about what his long term potential is. Certainly there are things you can be critical about with the O's, but being critical of Tillman's performance last night isn't one of them.