Another year of laborious first innings isn't what Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman wants, but the results once he settles in so far in 2016 spell good things for the Orioles’ stalwart starter.
His seven shutout innings Friday came on the heels of another difficult first inning, but he settled in for his fifth win of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.58.
It didn’t look it would end up that way at the outset. Tillman slogged through a 25-pitch first inning that featured two singles, only to get out without allowing a run.