Tillman, O’s throttle Red Sox
All-star right-hander improves to 15-4 as Baltimore avoids three-game sweep
BOSTON — Chris Tillman isn’t concerned about his steadily increasing win total or about further establishing himself as the ace of the Orioles’ staff.
The right-hander knew the win was more important to his team.
Tillman pitched seven strong innings to earn his 15th victory of the season, and Baltimore beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Thursday night to avoid a three-game sweep. The victory helped the Orioles pull within 3½ games of Oakland in the race for the second American League wild-card spot.
“I’m glad we got a ‘ W’ for him,” manager Buck Showalter said. “We’ve got 30 games left. September’s an eternity. It’ll edge by, and that will be good for us ’cause we’re trying to catch up.”
Manny Machado had two hits for the Orioles, including a tworun double that gave them the lead for good in the third inning. Danny Valencia had two doubles, and Adam Jones also had two hits for Baltimore, which opens a threegame series with the Yankees in New York tonight.
Jim Johnson pitched the ninth for his AL-leading 41st save.
“We’re going to New York with an upbeat clubhouse,” said Tillman, who is 6-2 when starting after an Orioles loss. “It’s a starting pitcher’s goal for the guys to trust you every time we go out there.”
Tillman (15-4), who never had won more than nine games in a season before this year, allowed two runs and six hits while striking out eight. Only Detroit’s Max Scherzer, who has won 19 games, has more major league victories this season.
Jon Lester (12-8) pitched six innings for Boston, allowing three runs and five hits. Daniel Nava had three hits and Shane Victorino two.
The Red Sox remained 2½ games ahead of Tampa Bay in the AL East, with Baltimore another four games back.
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was hitless in four at-bats to extend his slump to 0-for-22, striking out on four pitches to end the eighth inning with the tying run on third.
“It happens to everybody. I’m a player just like everyone else,” he said. “It’s not the end of the world. You know what I’m saying? Papi can struggle, too. I’ll be back.”
Nava doubled and scored on Stephen Drew’s single to put Boston up 1-0 in the second inning. But the Orioles took the lead on Machado’s double and then made it 3-1 in the fifth when Lester walked Jones with two outs and Chris Davis doubled off the Green Monster.