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Brian Matusz continued his stellar pitching vs. the AL East today and provided the Orioles with a big lift as he pitched the Birds past Boston 6-1 in the series finale at Fenway Park.
Matusz also ended a 13-start winless drought and won for the first time since April 18 vs. Oakland.
Matusz allowed just two hits over seven innings. He walked three and tied his career-high with eight strikeouts as he threw 111 pitches. Matusz stranded two runners on base in the third and fourth innings. John Lackey allowed four runs to take the loss.
He improved to 3-9, 4.56 on the sesason and in eight starts this year vs. AL East opponents, Matusz is now 2-3, 2.90. Matusz is 1-0, 2.41 in three starts on the season vs. Boston and the Orioles are 2-1 in those games.
The Orioles reach the mid-point of the season with a record of 25-56 after 81 games.
They scored two runs each in the 4th, 8th and 9th getting RBI from Nick Markakis, Ty Wigginton, Adam Jones, Julio Lugo and Scott Moore. Markakis and Cesar Izturis had three hits each.
Josh Bell, who went 0 for 3, left the game in the 8th due to right leg cramps, after swinging and missing at a pitch.
The Birds are 1-2 on this road trip and now 6-6 on the season vs. Boston after going just 2-16 last year.
The O's road trip heads to Detroit for the next three games. Monday afternoon at 1:05, Kevin Millwood (2-8, 5.40) pitches for Baltimore vs. Detroit's lefty Andy Oliver (0-2, 3.00).
Yeah, MacPhail really screwed up picking Matusz.
Matuzs, Bergy, Arietta, Berkens, Hernandez, Tillman, Markakis, Adams, Weiters, Reimold are all ML quality players but without Two legitimate 35-40 HR guys, the pressure, which has been with these kids all year, will continue. The pitchers will continue to feel that if they give up two runs, the game is lost and the young hitters will keep trying to do things that can only with time. It's really unfair to surround these kids with has beens and never wases and minor leaguers.
Steve:
What would Matusz's ERA be if all the runners that his relievers allowed to score be deducted from his runs allowed?
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Not sure if there is anywhere to find the stat where we can find that, but it seems like he's had more than his fair share. If anyone knows where to find that stat, let me know. - Steve.
Steve, taped the game and watched the game a little late. Looked back and saw what you wrote about Samuel getting hot (yesterday's game). I would like to say that you hit the nail on the head. This team gets no respect and that started at the beginning of the season. I have watched every game this year and we need a manager who can get some respect. It has been a joke that the umpires just give calls to the other team. We rarely even question the calls, what the heck. I also believe that the players need to get mad at some of the calls (even the pitchers). I know Lugo is not that good but he really cares and will fight if he thinks the calls are going against him. We need more player to show they have had enough, that we are MLB players also. This is the first time I have written you but you seem to be on the ball. Had to get this off my chest. Thanks for your information, I read it everyday but never write. Keep up the good work Steve.
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Well, thanks for finally writing in, feel free to join in anytime.
I don't think pitchers should question the umpires calls, because they don't want that man calling balls and strikes working against them. Plus if they stress over each close pitch they don't get, they would go nuts. It's best for the pitcher to just keep his poise and realize that is out of his control. Leave that to the manager. - Steve.
How many teams have 2 legitimate 35-40 home run guys?
Steve-
So, we got one peice of good news today, with this start.
I will only make 1 comment on the AS selection. A long one. Its amazing to me, how utterly clueless whoever does the selecting is.
Wiggington, got out to a hot start, great, but, a horrid defender at times, and cooled off dramatically, hitting just 1 HR in what, a month?
Not to mention, he will most likely be traded by the end of the month.
On the other hand, looking at Nick go 3-5 today, make amazing catches, hold runners at 3b saving who knows how many runs, then, leading the lead in 2B, team in AVG, OBP, Walks, 2B, hits, multi hit games, on and on and on, NOT TO MENTION, he is a 5year O, and is signed for the NEXT 5 years.
I am truly upset by this. Simply, because, it hurts the team, and city, to not say, "All-Star Nick Markakis". Wiggington will be gone, and it does nothing for the prestige, or to help NM take over leadership roles for the younger guys.
If Samuel gave this pick, and was asked, hearing him say last week "I'm leaning toward Jonesy", which is laughable, but,IF, he was the one who said "wiggy" and we have know way of knowing, but, IF, then I can't wait for him to go either.
NO ONE has a sense of what the fans want to see.
They just lost a ton of viewers from this area, cuz I have no care at all to watch that game now.
When is this kid going to get some recognition? Tell me? I don't get it.
How can Girardi, or whoever, really just not know what the fans want? nearly 50% of people in this one poll I looked at, said Nick deserves it,
This one does sting a bit for me.
Terrible.
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As usual, we don't see eye to eye on something. I don't think someone's contract status or if there is a chance they might be traded should have anything to do with it. Nor should how they are hitting in the last few weeks. It should be how they have hit over 81 games and Wiggy is on pace for 28 homers and over 80 RBI.
No question, Nick is a better player, don't get me wrong. But it also probably had to do with positions. Wiggy was selected I believe at second base, where fewer players have stats like him. The outfield is loaded with good hitters.
Ryan, weren't you ripping Nick as not clutch and not nearly a superstar just a few weeks ago? - Steve.
Steve-
I overheard someone say that this is the 4th time this season that Matusz has gone at LEAST 7 innings, with no runs against him, while he was in the game, and it is the 1st time he has gotten a win.
Is that true?
He is a ROY candidate, and hopefully, he will get on one of those rolls, like Bedard used to, and win 8 or 9 decisions in a row.
He has the K's, if he can win 13 or more, and get that e.r.a. under 4.25, who knows?
I know they will be trading everyone away soon, and the offense will really struggle at that point, but maybe someone will click.
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It is the second time this year he pitched seven scoreless. The first time, May 15 vs. Cleveland, he did not get a win. He also had a game where he gave up one run over six vs. SD and did not get a win. Entering Sunday's game the Orioles had scored just 17 runs while he was in the game over his last 12 starts. So hard to get any wins with numbers like that. Last year, he got much more run support and had a 5-2 record over eight starts. - Steve.
Nice to see Matusz shut down those dirty Sox,,,,we need more of that from our youngins. Arrietta, Tillman & Bergy - the "cavalry" have been uninspiring thus far
Rockies Sign Jose Tovar
By Zach Links [July 4 at 10:09pm CST]
The Rockies have signed Venezuelan left-hander Jose Tovar, an international source told Ben Badler of Baseball America. The 16-year-old will receive a $350K bonus in the deal.
Tovar, who is 6'2" and 180-pounds, pitched in the Dominican Prospect League despite being a native Venezuelan.
------any day now O's