The Orioles had mixed results in their split-squad games Saturday, but the most encouraging aspect from the afternoon was the performances of two of their young starters.

Brad Bergesen, who is expected to be the club's No. 4 starter, looked solid in four of his five innings as the Orioles' primary lineup beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-2, at home in Sarasota.

Chris Tillman, who is fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation, took a major step forward with his best performance of the spring, throwing five innings in a 6-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers.

Bergesen recovered from a difficult first inning to take another important step back to the form he exhibited before a wicked line drive ended his solid 2009 season in July. He pitched 4 2/3 innings Saturday and gave up just three hits. He surrendered one hit after a first inning that was marred by second baseman Ty Wigginton's error.

Facing a Red Sox lineup that featured every regular except outfielder Mike Cameron, Tillman didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning.

On deck Kevin Millwood will take the mound at 1:05 p.m. in Clearwater, Fla., against the Philadelphia Phillies. It's just his third Grapefruit League start and first since he allowed five runs against the Minnesota Twins on March 11. He'll face former Oriole Jamie Moyer. David Hernandez will pitch in a minor league game.