masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBrian Matusz gave up two runs and three hits in the first inning to fall behind, 2-0, to the Minnesota Twins.

The good news: He struck out the side.

Ben Revere took a strike and doubled over the head of left fielder Felix Pie. Nick Punto struck out looking with the count full, but Michael Cuddyer singled to right-center field to score Revere.

Jason Kubel followed with an RBI double to the left-center field fence on Matusz’s 16th pitch.

He was getting hit hard. These weren’t…Brian Matusz gave up two runs and three hits in the first inning to fall behind, 2-0, to the Minnesota Twins.

The good news: He struck out the side.

Ben Revere took a strike and doubled over the head of left fielder Felix Pie. Nick Punto struck out looking with the count full, but Michael Cuddyer singled to right-center field to score Revere.

Jason Kubel followed with an RBI double to the left-center field fence on Matusz’s 16th pitch.

He was getting hit hard. These weren’t cheapies.

Matusz recovered to get a called third strike on Brendan Harris, and Jacque Jones went down swinging with the count full.

Matusz threw 26 pitches, 17 for strikes.

Punto took a 2-2 fastball that appeared to catch the outer half of the plate, but umpire Bill Welke didn’t think so. Punto took another one and was punched out.

Matusz threw a curveball to Punto that the Twins’ third baseman fouled off. It also crossed up catcher Craig Tatum, who made a quick visit to the mound.

Update: Felix Pie opened the bottom of the first with a sharp single to right field. Adam Jones struck out, Miguel Tejada was robbed on a diving grab by second baseman Luke Hughes, and Luke Scott flied to left with the count full..