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SEA@BAL: Tillman allows just one run over 7 1/3

Manny Machado has arrived and seemingly brought with him a jolt of energy at the perfect time for a team thickly in the midst of the playoff race. But should the Orioles reach the postseason for the first time since 1997, improved play from their starting rotation could be the deciding factor.

Right-hander Chris Tillman will take the mound for the Orioles Saturday night at Camden Yards as Baltimore looks for its seventh win in eight games. The Orioles held opponents to two runs or fewer in five of those six wins, though they did allow a combined 15 runs in the other two games.

Tillman cruised through his last start on Monday, a 7 1/3-inning outing in which he allowed just one run on five hits while striking out five batters and walking one in a 3-1 win over the Mariners. The 24-year-old Anaheim, Calif., native has earned a win in five of his six starts this season, including each of his last four.

From the opposite dugout, Luis Mendoza will start for the Royals. Before allowing seven runs to the Orioles in a 7-1 loss on Friday night, the Royals' rotation had helped the team to four wins in five games.

Mendoza had a tough-luck outing in his last start on Monday, throwing 7 1/3 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits in a 4-2 loss to the White Sox.

"In my last start, I just hung a breaking ball and [Paul] Konerko got a pretty good pitch to swing on," Mendoza said. "But I've just got to keep doing what I've been doing -- use my sinker and my breaking pitches and mix it up."

Royals: Getz getting accustomed to regular playing time
• After the Royals designated Yuniesky Betancourt for assignment on Sunday, Chris Getz became the Royals' starting second baseman. After a 2-for-3 night on Friday, Getz is batting .294 (5-for-17) since and has already hit more extra-base hits (12) in 57 games than he had last year (nine) in 118 games.

Orioles: Machado wasting no time making impression
• This year has belonged to baseball's youngest, the prospects somehow beginning their pro careers not long after -- or in Bryce Harper's case, before -- turning 20 years old. But while the Harpers and Mike Trouts have had most of the season to make their marks, Machado is just getting started.

Baltimore's 20-year-old third baseman -- at least, until he returns to his normal home at shortstop -- has begun his career batting 4-for-8, including his first two home runs and four RBIs on Friday night. Machado also added a triple and a run scored in his debut on Thursday.

Worth noting
• Saturday night will mark Mendoza's second start at Camden Yards, a good hitters' ballpark. In a 2008 start for the Rangers, Mendoza allowed five runs on six hits in three innings.

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