masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgChris Tillman mowed through the Yankees for the first two innings, striking out four batters and topping out at 94 mph, but his start went south in a hurry.

He’s expected to do the same after Game 1, returning to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for left-hander Zach Britton.

Tillman was charged with seven runs (five earned), the last two scoring after Troy Patton replaced him, and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six. He threw 80 pitches, 50 for strikes.

Tillman threw…Chris Tillman mowed through the Yankees for the first two innings, striking out four batters and topping out at 94 mph, but his start went south in a hurry.

He’s expected to do the same after Game 1, returning to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for left-hander Zach Britton.

Tillman was charged with seven runs (five earned), the last two scoring after Troy Patton replaced him, and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six. He threw 80 pitches, 50 for strikes.

Tillman threw 35 pitches in the first three innings, but he needed 35 to get through the fourth. After retiring the first six batters, he allowed eight of the next 13 to reach base.

Tillman’s command was outstanding, then it abandoned him. And when that happens, he begins to look uncomfortable on the mound.

If you’re searching for positives, he only walked one batter and his velocity was good. But the Orioles need more from him.

The defense didn’t do him any favors in the fifth. Blake Davis bounced a throw to Derrek Lee, who usually scoops that ball. And Adam Jones appeared to lose a long fly ball to center field, leaping at the fence when it wasn’t necessary. But Tillman was his own worst enemy today.

Meanwhile, Yankees starter Bartolo Colon has thrown 105 pitches in five innings, allowing five hits, walking two and hitting a batter. But he’s only allowed two runs. The Orioles are 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and have stranded seven.

Update: Mark Reynolds increased his team lead in home runs with No. 23 in the eighth inning – his 18th against right-handers. Reynolds hit a foul ball earlier in the at-bat that struck the facing of the third deck.

The Orioles trail the Yankees, 8-3.

Reynolds has moved to first base, with Josh Bell taking over at third. Get used to it if Derrek Lee is traded.

Lee has struck out looking three times today. Probably all that pressure from being a trade chip.