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

While they may not look like a playoff contender on paper, the Orioles haven't let that stop them from making a push for the postseason.

Baltimore has been outscored by 46 runs on the season and continues to deal with an inconsistent starting rotation, but is still tied with the Oakland A's for the second Wild Card spot in the American League.

"Our guys are not dwelling on what should be logical," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter.

A member of Baltimore's starting rotation for the last two months, Chris Tillman will take the hill against the Blue Jays on Sunday at Camden Yards as the Orioles try for a three-game sweep.

The right-hander held the Rangers bats in check on Tuesday, allowing just three runs in 6 2/3 innings for his sixth win of the season.

Tillman was able to throw his curveball for strikes, and he forced Texas hitters to chase his fastball up in the strike zone, which reached upwards of 95 mph.

"When you're ahead in the count, you can go up in the zone like that," Tillman said after the contest. "I wasn't trying to throw them that hard. Like I've said, I don't worry about the velocity. I just worry about the command."

Meanwhile, Blue Jays right-hander Henderson Alvarez is looking to rebound after a rough outing against Texas on Aug. 19.

He surrendered a career-high eight runs on 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings, which marked the third time in four outings that he was unable to get through more than five innings.

Taking losses in all four of his starts during August, Alvarez has a 7.28 ERA in the month and hasn't won since July 28.

"The Rangers came out and swung the bats aggressively, particularly on first-pitch fastballs, and then in hitter's counts where there were some mislocated fastballs, they squared a number of pitches up," manager John Farrell said of the right-hander's last outing. "I didn't think he used his secondary stuff enough, particularly as they started to be aggressive early in the counts. There was still a first-pitch fastball approach that they took advantage of."

Blue Jays: Bautista, Cooper headed to DL
• Jose Bautista left Saturday's game with left wrist discomfort in just his second game back, and was placed back on the 15-day disabled list. Adeiny Hechavarria was called up to take his place.

• Unable to take the field for the third consecutive game on Saturday night against the Orioles, David Cooper was placed on the 15-day disabled following Saturday's game, as his injured back has not shown noticeable improvement.

First baseman Adam Lind (back), who is currently on a rehab assignment with Double-A New Hampshire, was called up to take his place.

Orioles: Thome may need another epidural
• Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome (herniated disc in neck) could get a second epidural injection because he isn't progressing as quickly as the team hoped.

Thome was placed on the disabled list on July 31, retroactive to the 28th, and had his first epidural injection in California on Aug. 3. While no timetable has been set for his return, a second shot would push him back a few weeks.

• The Orioles officially inducted Mike Mussina and Rich Dauer into the organization's Hall of Fame with a pregame ceremony on Saturday. Longtime Orioles scout Walter Youse was also inducted posthumously as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner.

Worth Noting
• The Orioles have made 138 roster moves this year since setting their Opening Day roster (40-man and 25-man roster included). The Birds have optioned 31 players, recalled 27, placed 19 on the 15-day disabled list, selected the contract of 15, designated 14 for assignment, reinstated 10 from the DL, placed nine on the 60-day DL, lost three on waivers, outrighted four, traded for four, claimed one on waivers and had one take paternity leave.

• The Blue Jays have score three runs or less in 10 of their last 12 games, and in 20 of their last 26 contests dating back to July 29.

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