Tillman vs. Mikolas tonight at Camden Yards

Tillman vs. Mikolas tonight at Camden Yards

The Orioles have won the first two games of their series against the Rangers, and they're scheduled to face a pitcher tonight who's making his first major league start.

Heck, T.J. McFarland already had one before last night. He's a seasoned pro by comparison.

Miles Mikolas, brought up yesterday after left-hander Joe Saunders was designated for assignment, is the 11th different Texas pitcher to start this season - the most in the American League and one behind the Rockies.

Mikolas, 25, is 3-1 with a 3.58 as a starter at Triple-A Round Rock and 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in relief.

Mikolas (pronounced "MIY-koh-lahs") saved 26 games in 30 opportunities with Triple-A Tucson in 2013. This starting thing is relatively new to him.

It's much more common for Chris Tillman, who's gone 1-4 at home this season despite posting a 2.47 ERA in seven starts.

So Tillman and Ubaldo Jimenez are a combined 2-10 at Camden Yards. The top two starters in the rotation.

We'll go with "interesting."

Tillman is 3-1 with a 4.66 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers. He didn't receive a decision on June 5 after allowing five runs and six hits, with three walks, in one inning in Arlington.

Remember when everyone was concerned about Tillman - the groin, the drop in velocity, the early departures?

Over his next four starts, Tillman has given up five runs and 23 hits in 28 innings while going 2-2. He's allowed one run in 15 innings in his last two outings and takes a streak of four consecutive quality starts into tonight's game.

Elvis Andrus is 5-for-11 lifetime against Tillman, and Adrian Beltre is 4-for-9 with a home run. Alex Rios and Carlos Pena are a combined 2-for-19, though Rios has a home run.

Earlier today, the Orioles transferred infielder Jemile Weeks from short-season Single-A Aberdeen to Triple-A Norfolk. The Tides are home now and the Orioles easily can summon Weeks if they want to add an infielder during Manny Machado's absence.

Also, non-roster infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr. was named to the International League All-Star team. He's batting .304 with 16 doubles, three homers and 32 RBIs.

Orioles top draft pick Brian Gonzalez (third round) made his professional debut today in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and and retired the side in order with one strikeout.




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