Chris Tillman hasn't been promised a specific number of starts over these final weeks of the season. He takes the ball tomorrow for the first time in the majors since July 19. That's the only guarantee. "He's going to get an opportunity to pitch tomorrow," manager Buck Showalter said. "I haven't seen him pitch other than on tape and everybody here has, so I'm kind of the last guy. We'll see after tomorrow's start where we go." It's Tillman's turn to be evaluated. "You've just...

Brandon Snyder has been here for three games now without an at bat. It's becoming apparent that, despite his callup, he will likely not get too many starts. I asked Buck Showalter today if Snyder can gain something here, even if not playing much and if he can evaluate some things about Snyder without seeing him play much. "I know there's never any substitute for actual game participation, but as we get into a couple of clubs that won't be involved in the playoffs, we'll get some looks...

On July 19, Chris Tillman gave up eight runs in just 2 2/3 vs. Tampa Bay. For him, the rematch and the resumption of his Major League career comes tomorrow here at Camden Yards. Tillman will make his 7th big league start of this season Sunday vs. the Rays. This is his third stint with the Orioles after going 11-7, 3.34 in 21 starts with Norfolk. "I have to just go out and do what I know I can do. I've been pretty consistent down in Norfolk. That's been the thing I wanted to work on...

Still no Adam Jones, who continues to receive treatment on his sore upper back. He's also allowing the cortisone injection that he received Thursday night to work its magic. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells is upbeat about the progress that Jones has made, according to manager Buck Showalter, but don't look for the center fielder in tomorrow's lineup. He probably won't be there. "He's a little better today, but I don't think him playing is imminent," Showalter said. "I think it...

Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Julio Lugo 3B Corey Patterson CF Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP Here's Tampa Bay's lineup: Jaso C Zobrist 2B Crawford LF Longoria 3B Pena 1B Joyce RF Hawpe DH Upton CF Bartlett SS Shields RHP

It's probably going to be an unpopular opinion, but I admire Kevin Millwood. Yes, I admire a pitcher with a 3-15 record, a new career high in losses and ERA of 5.38. The pitcher that leads the American League in losses. I remember that he pitched the first two months of this season without a win, despite a 3.89 ERA. That was the lowest ERA for a starter who opened the season with 11 straight winless decisions since Rick Langford had a 2.62 to open the 1978 season with Oakland. He...

I've got a busy morning ahead of me, which includes a three-hour stint on "Wall to Wall Baseball" with Tom Davis and Dave Johnson. The first hour, beginning at 11 a.m., will air on MASN. You can catch the entire show on ESPN Radio 1300. Or you can sleep late. Depends what you did last night. Do you get the feeling that Orioles manager Buck Showalter is looking at life from both sides now (see if that song sticks in your head for a while.) Showalter has seen the good. A lot more than he...

In his first major league start, Danny Espinosa showed the organization just a glimpse of his talent and potential. The highly touted September call-up went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. One of those was a monster home run to deep right field. Bench coach John McLaren, filling in as manager during Jim Riggleman's suspension, called it a "missile." It came on a 1-1 pitch from Pirates starter Zach Duke, a changeup middle away. "It's one of those sweet feelings; you don't even feel the...

It would be hard to blame Luke Scott for this loss or the lack of offense vs. Matt Garza in Tampa's 4-1 win tonight. He reached base all three times he was up vs. Garza with a single and two walks. Perhaps Garza tread lightly with him after he homered off him twice in that July game vs. the Rays. Here is what Scott about the Garza and this game: "Garza had good stuff and has a plus arm. For the most part he stayed out of the middle of the plate. He's got a power arm but he finessed...

Tonight's attendance: 13,507. Welcome to the first three-game losing streak under manager Buck Showalter. "(Matt) Garza's got good stuff, but there's some things we've got to do better," Showalter said. "We missed the cutoff man, cost us a run. And a couple other things we'll correct." How about that 5-32 record against AL East opponents besides the Red Sox? Kevin Millwood lost his 15th game, which leads the majors. This is the first time he failed to complete six innings since...