FanPost

5/11/2014 - Tillman Struggles Early, Astros Avoid Sweep

The Astros ended the Orioles five-game winning streak on Sunday while avoiding being swept with a 5-2 win. Jose Altuve had three hits, and Jason Castro hit his fifth home run of the season, a three run shot to center field as the Astros defeated the Orioles for the first time this season.

Houston starter Jarred Cosart turned in a quality start, allowing two earned runs on eight hits over six strong innings, while the Astro's bullpen didn't allow a hit over the final three innings.

Baltimore starter Chris Tillman's first inning struggles continued, walking both Jose Altuve and Dexter Fowler to start the game. Jason Castro crushed the first pitch he saw over the center field wall, driving in the game-winning run before the All-Star pitcher could record an out.

Tillman eventually settled down, and didn't allow another run, but the damage was done. The right-hander issued a season-high five walks and needed 105 pitches to get through five innings of work.

"It was a struggle for me. Fastball command wasn't there for me from the get-go," Tillman said. "It was a battle all day."

"He kept us in the ballgame and threw some zeroes up after that," manager Buck Showalter said. "But it wasn't what he's capable of or what we've come to expect. Or more importantly, what Chris has come to expect."

The Orioles answered with a pair of runs in the third inning. Nick Markakis hit a one-out single to left field to extend his hitting streak to eighteen games. Manny Machado followed with an infield hit to shortstop, and Chris Davis hit a single to right field, loading the bases. Adam Jones hit a single to left field, driving in his 500th and 501st career RBIs as both Markakis and Machado crossed the plate. The rally stalled when Nelson Cruz flied out to right field and Steve Clevenger grounded into a fielder's choice.

Chris Davis saw action for the first time in two weeks, ending a stint on the 15-day DL caused by a strained left oblique. Matt Wieters was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right elbow, clearing room on the active roster for the returning first-baseman. Davis finished the day with a single, a double, and two strikeouts.

"Felt good," Davis said. "Timing is a little off, little in-between. But it was definitely good to be in there, moving around again."

The Orioles threatened to score again in the fifth inning. Markakis led the inning off with a walk. After Machado struck out for the first out of the inning, Davis mashed a double to deep right field, advancing Markakis to third. But Adam Jones struck out and then Nelson Cruz flied out to end the inning. The Orioles would not advance a runner to scoring position the rest of the afternoon.

Nelson Cruz had a quiet afternoon, failing to record a hit while stranding four runners, three in scoring position.

Marc Krauss hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning off Oriole's reliever T.J. McFarland to extend the lead to 5-2. It was his third home run of the season.

"Those are runs that we have not been able to get," Astro's manager Bo Porter said. "Those tack-on runs that give you an extra cushion, make it a three-run lead instead of a one-run lead. That was a huge home run."

The Astros bullpen, struggling of late, limped into the game with a 6.21 ERA. The capacity crowd on hand for Mother's Day would have never known. The Orioles failed to record a hit and reached base only once in the final three innings when reliever Chad Qualls hit Ryan Flaherty with a pitch with two outs in the ninth.

Reliever Tony Sipp entered the game for the Astros in the seventh inning and proceeded to put on a show, striking out five of the six Orioles he faced. Since joining the Astros last week, Sipp has fanned seven of the twelve batters that he's faced without allowing a base-runner.

Chad Qualls earned his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

"Overall, a good team win," Bo Porter said.

"We've played some good baseball the last two days," said Astros third-baseman Matt Dominguez. "Pitched the ball well, got some timely hits. Hopefully that can give us a jumpstart."

The first place Orioles (20-15) will look to rebound Monday night when the first place Tigers (21-12) come to town. Rick Porcello is slated to start for Detroit. Bud Norris will take the mound for the O's.

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