Thursday Bird Droppings

Fill-in Chris Tillman allows 2 hits as Orioles win - BostonHerald.com
"Chris Tillman made the most of the spot start in Wednesday’s series finale against the Seattle Mariners, pitching the best game of his major league career as the Orioles won, 4-2, in front of an announced 21,982 on the Fourth of July at Safeco Field." Yeah, it's The Sun's article, without the page-view count. Silly Tribune Company...

Steve Melewski: As strikeout rate increases, Tillman's ERA decreases
"If you look at Chris Tillman's strikeout rates at Triple-A Norfolk this year, he is ringing up the Ks at his best rate since 2009 when he had an ERA of 2.70 for the Tides."

Steve Melewski: Chris Davis' bat starts to heat up again
"Chris Davis is getting hot again at the plate. He recently went through a 10-game stretch where he went just 1-for-35 which dropped his average to .267. But he began (Wednesday) at .275 and his RBI single in the third inning gave the O's a 3-0 lead this afternoon at Seattle."

Orioles/Mariners lineups and pregame notes (Roberts to get an MRA) " Britt's Bird Watch
"Brian Roberts flew back to Baltimore today and will get an MRA on his right hip, which has been bothering him the last few days as well. Roberts, who was put on the disabled list with a right groin strain is dealing with soreness in the adductor area. An MRA is similar to an MRI except contrast dye is injected into the area for a clearer picture."

School of Roch: Orioles will call up Mahoney
"The Orioles will return to a four-man bench before the All-Star break by recalling first baseman Joe Mahoney from Triple-A Norfolk ... Mahoney is batting .256 with 14 doubles, five home runs and 38 RBIs in 85 games with the Tides. He's hitting .306 in his last 10 games."

Orioles' Bundy 'mature beyond years' – USATODAY.com
"Dylan Bundy is way more mature beyond his years," says Rick Peterson, the Baltimore Orioles pitching development coordinator. "He has a great sense of perspective on where he is right now at this point in his life. He's got great self-discipline, great self-motivation, and he's got a burning desire to fully untap his potential."