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Ashur Tolliver Orioles

Baseball

OCU's Tolliver notches first big-league win

Left-handed pitcher makes fifth appearance with Orioles

BALTIMORE – Former Oklahoma City University pitcher Ashur Tolliver posted his first victory on the Major League Baseball level in the Baltimore Orioles' 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The left-hander from Sherwood, Ark., returned to the Orioles on Wednesday to replace injured reliever Brian Duensing. Baltimore optioned Tolliver back to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides (Va.) on Sunday.
Tolliver's wife Kelli is set to give birth to the couple's child July 7. The Orioles embark on a West-Coast road trip that will last through July 6. The Tides play in Toledo, Ohio, at home and in Durham, N.C., during that time, giving Tolliver a better chance to be on hand when his wife goes into labor.
On Friday, Tolliver retired two batters during the top of the sixth inning after taking over for Yovani Gallardo on the mound. Tolliver allowed a hit and a walk during his outing.
The Orioles erased a 3-1 deficit with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to give Tolliver his first big-league win. Adam Jones belted a solo home run, while Chris Davis socked a two-run base hit to rally the Orioles.
Tolliver's major-league debut came May 26 when he struck out three in 1.1 innings at the Houston Astros. Tolliver has fanned five in 4.2 innings in five appearances with Baltimore this year.
Tolliver became the 146th overall pick by Baltimore in the fifth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Tolliver was the first player chosen from an NAIA institution in that draft.
For the Stars, Tolliver turned in a 10-1 record with a 3.74 ERA, 89 strikeouts and a complete game in 74.2 innings. Tolliver took second-team all-American, first-team all-Sooner Athletic Conference and SAC gold-glove honors. OCU went 53-9, tied for third in the NAIA World Series and won the NAIA Championship Opening Round in 2009.
Oklahoma City has produced 155 professional players and 72 MLB draftees. OCU captured the 2005 NAIA championship among 14 World Series appearances.

 
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