masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAfter winning seven in a row, the Orioles have now dropped back-to-back games heading into their game tonight against Seattle at Camden Yards.
At 23-14, the Orioles still lead the American League East by percentage points over Boston with Tampa Bay five games back, Toronto six out and New York 7 1/2 games off the pace. The Orioles have won nine of 13 games, 12 of their past 18 games and are 16-7 at home
Seattle, a 10-0 winner last night as Nelson Cruz drove in five runs, is 22-16 overall and…

After winning seven in a row, the Orioles have now dropped back-to-back games heading into their game tonight against Seattle at Camden Yards.

At 23-14, the Orioles still lead the American League East by percentage points over Boston with Tampa Bay five games back, Toronto six out and New York 7 1/2 games off the pace. The Orioles have won nine of 13 games, 12 of their past 18 games and are 16-7 at home

Seattle, a 10-0 winner last night as Nelson Cruz drove in five runs, is 22-16 overall and 14-6 on the road. The Mariners, leading the AL West by one game over Texas, are 20-10 since April 13 and have won six of seven games this year versus AL East teams.

O’s right-hander Chris Tillman (5-1, 2.58 ERA) makes his ninth start of 2016 tonight, facing Seattle right-hander Taijuan Walker (2-2, 2.63 ERA).

Tillman is 4-0 with a 1.89 ERA in six home starts and has recorded five consecutive quality starts, going 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA in that stretch. Tillman is unbeaten over his last nine home starts dating to Sept. 12, going 5-0 with a 2.63 ERA.

Tillman got the win on Friday night against Detroit in a 1-0 victory when he threw seven scoreless innings. It was the latest solid start for Tillman and the Orioles are 7-1 in his outings this season.

“I feel good right now,” Tillman said after that Friday win. “Mechanically, I’m in a good place and I can execute all my pitches when I need to. Not necessarily throw a fastball in a fastball count. You know I’m able to throw some other things in there that I’m not used to doing. It’s fun right now and I’ll try to keep it going.

“Pitching wins baseball games. I think the starting staff has done a good job all the way throughout. We are throwing the ball well, as well as is the bullpen. I think we just have to keep going, it’s a long season.”

Walker gave up a season four runs over 5 2/3 innings in his last start, last Wednesday against Tampa Bay. Over 37 2/3 innings, Walker has given up just six walks with 38 strikeouts and a .240 average against. Lefty batters hit just .151 against him and right-handed batters are hitting .329 versus Walker.

On the farm: Three Orioles minor league teams played this afternoon, going 1-2.

Single-A Delmarva beat West Virginia, 10-1 as first baseman Steve Laurino went 4-for-5 with two doubles and five RBIs. Delmarva is 22-16 and wrapped up a 5-2 homestand today in front of its biggest crowd of the year with 5,684 at Perdue Stadium.

Over his last four games, Laurino is 9-for-16 with four doubles, a homer and seven RBIs. Outfielder Cedric Mullins went 3-for-4 with two doubles this afternoon and went 9-for-12 in this series. Winning pitcher Francisco Jimenez gave up just one run over six innings for the Shorebirds. Jay Flaa followed him to the mound with three scoreless innings.

Single-A Frederick (17-22) allowed three runs in the last of the ninth today to lose 3-2 at Wilmington. That snapped Frederick’s seven-game winning streak. Starter Mitch Horacek pitched six scoreless for the Keys in his best start of the year. Michael Zouzalik gave up three runs in 2 1/3 to take the loss.

Triple-A Norfolk (14-27) lost 3-2 at Pawtucket. Tides starter David Hale allowed two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings, throwing 83 pitches. The Tides were held to five hits which included solo homers by Michael Almanzar and Sharlon Schoop.