masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgRHP Chris Tillman (2-3, 4.91) tonight will make his 10th Major League start of the year, his 5th at home and his 2nd career start vs. Tampa Bay.

The 21-year-old Tillman got the victory Friday at New York. Over five innings, he allowed nine hits and four runs and fanned a season-high eight batters.

Tillman has recorded three quality starts and has allowed 3ER or less in six of his nine starts.

Tillman, 2009:
Vs. right-handed hitters: .374 average, 8 homers
Vs. left-handed hitters: .223…RHP Chris Tillman (2-3, 4.91) tonight will make his 10th Major League start of the year, his 5th at home and his 2nd career start vs. Tampa Bay.

The 21-year-old Tillman got the victory Friday at New York. Over five innings, he allowed nine hits and four runs and fanned a season-high eight batters.

Tillman has recorded three quality starts and has allowed 3ER or less in six of his nine starts.

Tillman, 2009:
Vs. right-handed hitters: .374 average, 8 homers
Vs. left-handed hitters: .223 average, 4 homers

The Orioles are 3-6 when Tillman starts. In four home starts, the right-hander is 1-1, 4.84.

In his only previous appearance vs. the Rays, he took the loss August 19th. In six innings, he allowed seven hits, three homers and three runs.

RHP Andy Sonnanstine (6-9, 7.15) tonight will make his 18th start of the season, his 11th on the road and the 8th of his career vs. the Orioles.

The 26-year-old pitched a scoreless inning in relief last Saturday vs. Boston. Before that, in two starts, he gave up a combined 11ER on 14 hits over 6 2/3 innings.

Sonnanstine was optioned to Triple-A in late June and returned to the Majors on September first.

In 89 innings on the year he has allowed 117 hits, including 18 homers. The Rays are 7-10 when he starts.

In 11 games, ten road starts in 2009, he is 1-8, 9.06 and has allowed ten homers over 49 2/3.

Sonnanstine vs. Baltimore:
2009: 0-2, 16.20, 2 starts (6 2/3IP, 17H, 12ER, 2 HR)
Career: 2-4, 8.55, 7 starts (33 2/3IP, 54H, 13B, 21K)