Better, but not enough

O’s banged up and beaten down, but need to make stand Orioles Tillman outdueled by Indians’ Clevinger in 4-0 loss

The Orioles fielded a lineup Saturday that featured utility outfielder Craig Gentry in the leadoff spot and three guys at the bottom of the batting order who have combined to appear in a total of 90 big league games since the start of last season.

This is what happens when your regular leadoff guy suffers a freak injury and you’re waiting for several other key players to come off the disabled list.

The Orioles have been waiting for help to arrive since Opening Day and they figure to be waiting quite a while to get back to full strength, so the loss of Trey Mancini – for however long – was just another gut punch that begs for a team-wide gut check.

“We have to play this game today,” executive vice president Dan Duquette said. “The cavalry isn’t going to be here to help us. We have to worry about saddling up and riding ourselves.” See SCHMUCK, page 5

Progress for Chris Tillman wasn’t enough to earn him his first win in just under a year Saturday against the Cleveland Indians, but the Orioles right-hander took a step toward emerging from the hole created by three miserable starts to open the season.

In the Orioles’ 4-0 loss at Camden Yards – a setback that dropped the team to 6-15 as Cleveland righthander Mike Clevinger tossed a two-hit shutout – Tillman displayed better control against a dangerous Indians lineup, but was done in by three solo home runs.

Had the Orioles offense done more to support Tillman, the improvement would’ve been more impactful. But now 21 games into the season, scoring runs has been a struggle. The Orioles have scored two runs or fewer nine times and See ORIOLES, page 5