Chris Tillman‘s fourseam fastball has clocked in at an average velocity of 92.20 MPH this season according to the data on BrooksBaseball.net. Over his five year career, Tillman has averaged just 91.90 MPH.

On Sunday in Baltimore, the Orioles righty touched 96.79 MPH with his 88th pitch, a called third strike to Yunel Escobar to end the fifth inning. Tillman threw Escobar ten pitches, a cutter a 94 MPH, two curveballs at 77 and 78, two sliders at 88, three fastballs 95, a slider at 88 and a fastball at 96 for strike three.

GIF after the bump.

Chris Tillman hits 96 MPH

With a 1-2 count, Escobar checked his swing on Tillman’s fourth pitch of the at-bat. The first base umpire, Dan Iassogna, ruled that he didn’t go around, but replays would reveal the opposite. Buck Showalter voiced his displeasure for the dugout. It took Tillman six more pitches to finally record the out.

Pitch efficiency plagued Tillman all day, just as it has most of the season. He threw 55 pitches the first three innings and 45 in the fifth and six.

Still, Tillman has given the Orioles quality starts in six straight outings.