masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgFORT MYERS, Fla. – Chris Tillman was charged with one run today, and it scored after he left the game, but his command was shaky in his third spring outing.

Tillman allowed four hits, walked two and struck out one in 3 1/3 innings. He threw 51 pitches, 28 for strikes.

His pitch count was elevated in part because of his throwing error in the first inning after fielding Denard Span’s tapper, and a fly ball from Luke Hughes in the second inning that dropped between left fielder Wilson Betemit…FORT MYERS, Fla. – Chris Tillman was charged with one run today, and it scored after he left the game, but his command was shaky in his third spring outing.

Tillman allowed four hits, walked two and struck out one in 3 1/3 innings. He threw 51 pitches, 28 for strikes.

His pitch count was elevated in part because of his throwing error in the first inning after fielding Denard Span’s tapper, and a fly ball from Luke Hughes in the second inning that dropped between left fielder Wilson Betemit and shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Backup catcher John Hester aided Tillman by throwing out Span and Tsuyoshi Nishioka trying to steal second base in the third inning. Maybe it all evened out.

Tillman came out of the game after back-to-back singles by Chris Parmelee and Ryan Doumit to start the bottom of the fourth, and Rene Tosoni’s fielder’s choice bouncer. Minor league pitcher Robert Hinton replaced him, and Luke Hughes bounced into a force at second as Parmelee scored.

Hinton, by the way, is a Sarasota native, in case you’re interested.

Tillman’s fastball hit 94 mph multiple times, so velocity wasn’t an issue. He just didn’t throw enough strikes today.

Dana Eveland has replaced Hinton in the bottom of the fifth.

Twins starter Nick Blackburn retired the last 10 batters he faced after Chris Davis’ two-out double in the first.

Jai Miller has struck out twice today, raising his total to 14 in 27 spring at-bats.

Update: Robert Andino led off the sixth by homering off the scoreboard in left-center field. Orioles 1, Twins 1.

Andino connected off right-hander Carlos Gutierrez, a former first-round pick.