masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles have played Boston in four series now and they have not lost one. They won’t lose this current series either after taking two of the first three games. But they lost last night 5-2 and need a win today to take this series.
Earlier, they split two games with Boston, won two of three and split a four-game series. The Orioles are 7-5 on the season versus Boston and 4-2 at home. Since the 2012 season they are 61-45 (.575) versus the Red Sox. Since the start of last year they are 10-5…

The Orioles have played Boston in four series now and they have not lost one. They won’t lose this current series either after taking two of the first three games. But they lost last night 5-2 and need a win today to take this series.

Earlier, they split two games with Boston, won two of three and split a four-game series. The Orioles are 7-5 on the season versus Boston and 4-2 at home. Since the 2012 season they are 61-45 (.575) versus the Red Sox. Since the start of last year they are 10-5 at home against Boston.

At 30-25, the Red Sox begin today a half-game ahead of Baltimore at 29-25 for second in the American League East. The Orioles have won four of six, but over a longer stretch have lost nine of 13. Boston has won nine of its past 13 games.

On the mound today, right-hander Chris Tillman (1-2, 5.87 ERA) faces Boston lefty Chris Sale (6-2, 2.77 ERA).

On Tuesday, Tillman allowed seven hits and five runs on 59 pitches in a loss to the Yankees. It was the fourth time in five starts he pitched five innings or less and was his shortest start since going 1 2/3 innings on Sept. 22 against Boston.

After that start, Tillman said his shoulder was sound. After a December platelet-rich plasma injection and a cortisone shot in March, Tillman didn’t make his first start this year until May 7.

“I mean, I felt really good actually,” Tillman said Tuesday night. “It’s been getting better every start. To be honest with you, I haven’t even thought about it (his shoulder soreness) since I got back here. That is an excuse and not one I will use. That’s behind me.”

Tillman was asked if arm strength is a concern for him. After averaging 92.6 mph on his fastball in 2015 and 92.9 mph last year, Tillman’s average fastball velocity is at 90.4 mph this season.

“I don’t think so, I really don’t,” Tillman said. “It’s more an execution thing than it is arm strength. And mechanically, too. That is an easy excuse. When you are off mechanically, I feel like you are out there trying to search and search and search to find the right one to make pitches. It kind of snowballed tonight. They came out hacking and they never stopped.”

Sale is coming off his worst start of the year. On Tuesday in Chicago, he gave up 10 hits and six runs (five earned) in five innings against his former team, the White Sox. He allowed season highs in runs and hits.

Sale had gone at least seven innings in his first 10 starts on the year until his last outing. His last loss was April 27 against the Yankees and he is 5-0 in six starts since.

Left-handed batters are hitting just .200 against him and right-handers are batting .197. He gives up an average of .324 when pitching with runners in scoring position.

On May 2, Sale beat the Orioles. Over eight innings, he gave up three hits and two runs with two walks and 11 strikeouts. In six career starts against the Orioles, he is 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA against Baltimore. In four starts at Oriole Park, he has a 2.74 ERA.