As the pending promotion of man-child Chris Tillman for tomorrow’s game gets closer it appears that the Rich Hill era here in Baltimore is about to come to an end. Monday night’s 5-3 loss to the Royals can’t be pinned solely on Hill, who exited in just 2 1/3 innings after surrendering four hits, three walks and three runs, but it’s apparent that he’s not the answer for the Birds.
After the game Hill not only apologized to the fans and his teammates, he also said he’s been hurting.
“I have been having some [tendinitis] issues with the shoulder and we have been doing a good job of keeping the fire down a little bit and unfortunately it is just something that I haven’t been able to maintain any consistency with,” Hill told The Baltimore Sun.
“Other than that, unfortunately I haven’t been able to give any kind of consistent help to this team. I apologize to the front office and the guys in this clubhouse.”
The Orioles have now dropped eight out of 10 games since the All-Star break and are looking at unfavorable pitching matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday before Brad Bergesen takes the hill for the afternoon finale on Thursday.
While the Royals may have appeared to be a “get well soon” kind of visitor this week it’s pretty obvious that their last place status has also given them some hope to win a few games against a fellow cellar dweller this week at Camden Yards.
After the game a more mellow Dave Trembley spoke about tempo and the lost momentum of the victory in Boston on Sunday.
But here’s the bottom line: the Orioles lost to previously winless Bruce Chen at home last night.
They lost to the worst pitcher on the worst team in the American League. And tomorrow, they’ll throw young Tillman into the ring against the best pitcher in the league as Zack Greinke takes the hill at Camden Yards.
Thank God for football season.
