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Orioles seek to bounce back in tilt with Tigers

Apr 7, 2011 - 2:59 PM (Sports Network) - Chris Tillman tries to follow up a no-hit outing in his last time out as the Baltimore Orioles attempt to bounce back from their first loss of the season in tonight's finale of a three-game set against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards.

Tillman didn't allow a hit in six innings to the Tampa Bay Rays, but left afterward and did not get a decision. He had walked three batters and struck out five, but threw 101 pitches.

"Anytime you get that many positives out of a start you always take a lot of confidence from it," Tillman said. "I'm trying to build off it, you know. Obviously I'm not completely satisfied with what I saw. I want to get better every time."

Tillman will be trying to help the O's get back on track after they were denied their first 5-0 start since 1970 on Wednesday. Alex Avila knocked in a career-high five runs on a 3-for-4 performance at the plate as Detroit pulled out a 7-3 win.

Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez each had solo shots for the Tigers, who recorded just their second win of the season and evened the three-game series.

Justin Verlander (1-0) nearly went the distance for Detroit, working eight innings and allowing just three runs on four hits while fanning nine batters.

"I don't want to get too excited, but I'm definitely throwing the ball better than I have at this point the last couple of years," Verlander said.

Brad Bergesen (0-1), getting the call in place of Jeremy Guthrie, lasted just 3 2/3 innings for Baltimore after giving up four runs -- two earned -- on five hits.

"It seems like I went deep counts with everyone today," Bergesen said. "My pitch count got really high -- that part I'm really unhappy with."

Detroit will hand the ball to righty Brad Penny, who was awful in his Tigers debut on Saturday against the New York Yankees. Penny absorbed the loss in that one after he gave up eight runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

He has faced the Orioles twice and is 1-0 despite having allowed eight earned runs in 9 1/3 frames.

Baltimore split its 10 matchups with the Tigers last season.