Errors costly as O's fall again

How many times do we have to go through this?

At least once more, I suppose.

The O's let an early lead slip away and eventually lost to the Yankees 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Chris Tillman pitched a great game but was denied his first win. Tillman actually started the fire with a throwing error in the fourth, but was able to douse his own flames and get out of the inning with the Birds up 2-1.

In the sixth inning, the O's unraveled. The Birds were charged with two errors (one was ruled a hit after the game, but that matters little at this point) and the Yankees saw two runs cross the plate, giving New York a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish.

Tillman (0-2) went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits, while walking three and striking out one. This was one of his better starts, and he deserved to come out on the winning side, in my opinion.

As for the offense, the Birds collected 10 hits, two for extra-bases, but went just 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 men on base...a definite no-no when facing the Yankees.

Still, the fact that Jake Arrieta makes his MLB debut Thursday night should compel any O's fan to watch and cheer, even as the Yankees try for their third consecutive sweep of the Birds.

I'm not sure why the team thought it best to have Arrieta debut against the Yanks, but at least it's at Camden Yards and not Yankee Stadium...