Chris Tillman is clearly pitching with less velocity than he did in his first two starts, but it's hard to tell whether it's as pronounced as it seems from the radar gun readings being flashed on the MASN screen. Broadcaster Buck Martinez also is commenting on the fact that he doesn't look "right" -- and mentioned that he left the dugout with strength and conditioning coach Jay Shiner between innings -- but it's not clear whether he is not throwing as hard by design.

I'm guessing the radar readings are a little deceptive, since Brett Cecil's fastball is registering consistently in the 80s. He also is a normally a low-90s guy. Still, that would not explain Tillman's fastball being as much as 10 miles per hour slower than his last outing.

Instant update: Tillman has been confering with the trainers between innings and looked like he was stretching his lower back before taking the mound for the fifth. That might explain a lot about his dramatic decrease in velocity, but it also says something about his ability to adjust and his desire to compete. I'm impressed.