masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIf the sixth inning doesn’t jump up and bite Chris Tillman – it tends to happen to Orioles starters – he’s headed toward an outstanding start in his first game in Anaheim.

Tillman’s having quite a time at his homecoming. He’s retired 11 batters in a row and holding tightly to a 2-0 lead over the Angels.

Joe Blanton had allowed only one run until the sixth. Insane. But Adam Jones singled with one out and scored on Chris Davis’ double – his 29th RBI on the season.

Jones had fouled a ball…If the sixth inning doesn’t jump up and bite Chris Tillman – it tends to happen to Orioles starters – he’s headed toward an outstanding start in his first game in Anaheim.

Tillman’s having quite a time at his homecoming. He’s retired 11 batters in a row and holding tightly to a 2-0 lead over the Angels.

Joe Blanton had allowed only one run until the sixth. Insane. But Adam Jones singled with one out and scored on Chris Davis’ double – his 29th RBI on the season.

Jones had fouled a ball off his shin, but he stayed in the game and made it around the bases.

Tillman has allowed two hits, walked two and struck out two. Both walks came in the first inning.

Tillman’s velocity is up. He’s hitting 94-95 mph with his fastball.

Did someone spike the punch bowl?

Over his last three starts, Tillman has permitted three runs and 13 hits in 17 2/3 innings, with seven walks and 12 strikeouts.

Update: Tillman just joined Wei-Yin Chen as the only Orioles starters to complete seven innings.

Tillman had gone 6 2/3 innings in an earlier start. He’s at 99 pitches tonight, 64 for strikes.

Update II: No save situation for Jim Johnson tonight.

Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth, with a big assist from center fielder Mike Trout, who helped the ball over the fence. Albert Pujols broke up the shutout with a solo homer off Johnson in the bottom of the ninth to complete the scoring.

Orioles 5, Angels 1

Chris Tillman was sensational, holding the Angels to three hits over eight scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out three. Manager Buck Showalter removed him after 114 pitches, 73 for strikes.

Nolan Reimold collected two hits, reached on an error and scored three runs. J.J. Hardy and Ryan Flaherty were a combined 0-for-8.

The Orioles win again when leading after the seventh inning.