The Royals didn't score again. Relievers Danys Baez, Jim Johnson and Sherrill (seventh save) combined for 3 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings, making a winner out of Hill (1-0) and the Orioles (16-21).
"This is a great story for Rich Hill," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "He is a special kid, and I think we have very, very good people who know how to handle him. It was worth the wait."
He threw 88 pitches, 54 for strikes in a pitchers' duel with Kyle Davies (2-2), who allowed just three runs in seven innings.
Leadoff hitter Brian Roberts gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the first by walking on four pitches, stealing second and third and scoring on Davies' wild pitch. They added another in the fourth on Nolan Reimold's run-scoring single, his first big league RBI.
The game-winner happened in the fifth when Cesar Izturis bunted for a single, stole second base and scored on Nick Markakis' single up the middle that Callaspo couldn't snag.
The beneficiary was Hill, who walked off the mound in the sixth only after his infielders came onto the dirt and congratulated him on the stirring comeback.
"It was awesome," Hill said. "It was a good feeling, all the guys around you. They were back there supporting you 100 percent. And that is the feel in this clubhouse. Every guy is pulling for the next guy as much as you are pulling for yourself. It is pretty cool."
