SEATTLE (AP) — Chris Tillman gave up just two hits in 8 1-3 innings in first start of 2012, Adam Jones hit his 20th home run of the season into the upper deck in left field, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Wednesday.
Jones’ homer leading off the second inning came on a 2-0 pitch from Seattle starter Hector Noesi (2-11) and landed well back in the upper level seats. That was all Tillman needed, as the one-time Seattle prospect shut down his former organization after getting called up from the minors.
Tillman (1-0) took a one-hitter into the ninth but Michael Saunders reached on an error and John Jaso’s one-out double on Tillman’s 125th pitch ended his day. Jim Johnson entered and gave up an RBI groundout to Kyle Seager and RBI single to Justin Smoak, but still finished off his major league-leading 25th save.
