page_title: Chris Tillman
section_title: Baltimore Orioles
hierarchical_section_title: Chris Tillman / Baseball career / Baltimore Orioles
caption_attribution_description: Chris Tillman
context_page_description: Christopher Steven Tillman is an American professional baseball starting pitcher who is a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009, and played with them until 2018. He was named an All-Star in 2013.
context_section_description: On February 9, 2008, Tillman, along with Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Kam Mickolio, and Tony Butler, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Érik Bédard.
  According to Baseball America, he was Baltimore's second best prospect, behind only Matt Wieters.
  On July 29, 2009, the Orioles selected Tillman's contract from Norfolk, and he would make his major league debut against the Kansas City Royals. He pitched 4​²⁄₃ innings, allowing three runs on three solo home runs. The Orioles ended up winning 7–3, leaving Tillman with a no decision. Tillman's best start of his rookie campaign came on September 16 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In a tough-luck no decision, Tillman tossed 6​²⁄₃ of one-run ball, while only allowing five hits. 
  Tillman finished the year, making 12 starts and posting a 2–5 record with a 5.40 ERA.
  On March 30, the Orioles sent Tillman to the Norfolk Tides. On April 28, 2010, Tillman threw a no-hitter at the Gwinnett Braves as the Triple-A Norfolk Tides won the game 6–0. This no-hitter was the first for the Tides since 1992.
  On October 1, Tillman struck out a career-high seven batters against the Detroit Tigers. 
  Tillman was optioned between the majors throughout 2010 and Tillman started for the O's during the 2010 campaign. He once again posted a 2–5 record with a 5.87 ERA in 11 starts.
  On April 2, 2011, Tillman carried a no-hitter through six innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Orioles second game of the season.  He was lifted by manager Buck Showalter after the sixth inning, however, as Tillman's pitch count was already up to 101 pitches.  The team no-hitter was lost the following inning by Jeremy Accardo but the Orioles did go on to win 3–1.  The Orioles did not score their runs until the 8th inning, giving Tillman a no-decision.
  Despite this good start, Tillman's inconsistency and struggle to get opposing batters out led to him making only 13 starts for the Orioles. He struggled with a 3–5 record and 5.52 ERA, and allowed opposing batters to hit .301 off of him.
  On March 31, 2012, the Orioles decided to option Tillman to the Tides rather than include him on their starting rotation. He posted an 8–8 record with the Tides in 16 games, pitching to a 3.63 ERA with 30 walks and 92 strikeouts. Tillman made his return to the Orioles on July 4, 2012, allowing only 2 hits over 8​¹⁄₃ innings against the Mariners and recording his first major league win of the season.
  Tillman had his breakout half and went on to make 15 starts, posting a 9–3 record with a 2.93 ERA in 86 innings. He was able to hold hitters to a .207 average and he had a 1.05 WHIP.
  The 2013 season was a breakout one for Tillman. He assumed the role of ace of the rotation and compiled the most wins of any pitcher on the staff. Although he did not get the call to pitch, Tillman was selected to his first All Star Game, by American League manager Jim Leyland, after Justin Verlander decided not to go. On August 29, Tillman became the first Oriole pitcher since Erik Bedard in 2006 to record 15 victories in a single season, winning against the Boston Red Sox, pitching 7 innings, allowing two runs, no walks and striking out 8. On September 9, Tillman recorded his 16th win, going into the 8th inning against the New York Yankees, allowing 2 runs (both solo home runs), 4 hits and no walks, while striking out 9. Tillman ended the season with 16 wins, the most of any Orioles pitcher since Mike Mussina had 18 in 1999. He pitched 206​¹⁄₃ innings, struck out 179 batters and had a final ERA of 3.71.
  On March 17, 2014, manager Buck Showalter announced that Tillman would be the Orioles' Opening Day starter, for the first time in his career, on March 31, against the Boston Red Sox.
  He received a no-decision, going 5 innings, allowing one run, and striking out 4. On April 6, Tillman earned his first win of 2014, going 8​¹⁄₃ innings against the Detroit Tigers, allowing one run and striking out 5. On May 17, Tillman pitched his first career complete game shutout, against the Kansas City Royals. Tillman made his first career postseason start during Game 1 of the American L
caption: Tillman with the Orioles in 2009
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