Baltimore 3, Seattle 1

Orioles 3, Mariners 1: Chris Tillman took a shutout into the eighth inning and Nick Markakis hit a two-run homer to lead host Baltimore.

Tillman (5-1) allowed one run and five hits in 7 1/3 innings as the Orioles won their third consecutive game to pull within 5 1/2 games of the AL East-leading New York Yankees. Tillman struck out five and walked one while improving to 3-0 against Seattle.

Mark Reynolds had three hits and delivered a run-scoring double in the second inning two batters before Markakis drilled a two-run shot off Jason Vargas (12-8) to give Baltimore a 3-0 lead.

Tillman tired in the eighth and allowed a leadoff double to Eric Thames before Munenori Kawasaki followed with a run-scoring single. Kawasaki attempted to advance to second on the play but Reynolds cut off Adam Jones’ throw and threw him out.

Pedro Strop entered and got the final two outs of the eighth and Jim Johnson allowed two baserunners in the ninth before retiring Thames on a grounder for his American League-leading 33rd save.

Tillman didn’t allow a hit until Mike Carp singled with one out in the fifth.

Vargas was attempting to win his sixth straight start and lost for the first time since June 20. He allowed three runs and eight hits in eight innings. Vargas struck out two and walked none.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Tillman has allowed just two earned runs in 22 career innings against Seattle. … Mariners SS Brendan Ryan (left elbow) missed his second consecutive game and hopes to return Tuesday. … The Orioles learned DH Jim Thome has a herniated disk in his back and will be sidelined into mid-September. Thome was already on the disabled list. … Carp was back in the lineup after missing Sunday’s game due to the birth of his daughter.

• Baltimore will play their next game at home against Seattle. The Orioles have a W/L % of .561 after a win and .500 after a loss.
• Seattle will play their next game on the road against Baltimore. The Mariners have a W/L % of .423 after a win and .492 after a loss.