The sight of starting pitcher Chris Tillman back on the mound to open the sixth inning Thursday was a welcome one for the Orioles, who through their first eight games had seen just one starting pitcher make it past the fifth inning.
Tillman had cruised to that point, scattering four hits and coming to the mound with a two-run lead. By the time the book was closed on him that inning, the Orioles were trailing by the eventual final score, 6-3, in the series opener against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park.