Chris Tillman (1-0, 4.98) makes his fifth start for the Orioles. Since lasting 4 2-3 innings in his July 29 major league debut, the rookie right-hander has pitched at least six innings in each of his past three starts.
He earned his first win in Baltimore's 16-6 rout of the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, allowing three earned runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings.
So, let's try and win a game, huh? Or maybe, just maybe, let's catch the Washington Nationals for the #1 pick next year.
Michael Aubrey is expected to report in time for the game is being evaluated by coaches. But he won't get in tonight. Per Roch:
Reliever Jim Johnson will rejoin the team tomorrow after flying back to Baltimore yesterday for the birth of his daughter, Abigail Grace. Danys Baez has inherited the closer's duties, if the Orioles can take a lead into the bottom of the ninth.
First things first.
Manager Dave Trembley told reporters earlier today that he wants to take another look at Luke Scott at first base, which explains why Michael Aubrey isn't in the lineup. Scott replaced Aubrey Huff on Monday, but he didn't get many chances.
The Orioles want to check out his footwork around the bag, his ability to handle ground balls and his positioning on cutoffs, among other things.
Scott would be an option at first base next season if Brandon Snyder isn't ready on Opening Day, Aubrey and Rhyne Hughes can't win the job and the club fails to add another player through free agency or trade.
A few more interesting notes, also from Roch:
Since Tillman entered the Orioles' rotation, the starters he has faced (Zack Greinke, Justin Verlander, Brett Cecil and Jered Weaver) are a combined 51-23 with a 3.45 ERA.
The Orioles are on pace to win 25 road games this year, which would mark only the second time since the league went to a 162-game schedule that they've failed to win 30 away from home in a season that didn't have a work stoppage. The 1988 Orioles were 20-61 on the road.
So, let's go O's! Unless it's in our best interest not to.