masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles lead the Athletics 4-2 as we head to the bottom of the fifth.

It hasn’t been an easy night for left-hander Brian Matusz. Though he shut out Oakland in the first three innings, he allowed two singles in the first, a leadoff walk in the second and two singles in the third. Adam Jones cut down Conor Jackson trying to stretch a single into a double in the first.

Kurt Suzuki led off the fourth with a walk, and Adam Rosales hit his first home run with one out. But Matusz retired the…The Orioles lead the Athletics 4-2 as we head to the bottom of the fifth.

It hasn’t been an easy night for left-hander Brian Matusz. Though he shut out Oakland in the first three innings, he allowed two singles in the first, a leadoff walk in the second and two singles in the third. Adam Jones cut down Conor Jackson trying to stretch a single into a double in the first.

Kurt Suzuki led off the fourth with a walk, and Adam Rosales hit his first home run with one out. But Matusz retired the side in order in the fifth, easily his best inning of the game.

Rosales’ home run came on an 86 mph fastball. Matusz’s velocity is still down.

Matusz has thrown 77 pitches, 51 for strikes, in five innings.

Update: Matusz left tonight’s game after throwing 89 pitches – five more than his previous start – in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs and seven hits, walked two and struck out three.

Jim Johnson replaced him with two runners on base and started a 1-6-3 double play.

First baseman Derrek Lee has one putout tonight, on that double play.

How much of the bullpen will manager Buck Showalter use with Chris Jakubauskas starting tomorrow night?

Tonight’s attendance: 10,556

Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk’s Chris Tillman has allowed two runs and three hits in four innings against Rochester, with two walks and one strikeout. He’s thrown 62 pitches, 35 for strikes.

Update: Tillman allowed four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings, with four walks and three strikeouts. He threw 100 pitches, 58 for strikes. He left with runners on second and third and one out, so his line’s not complete.

Update II: Chris George got the last two outs without another run scoring. Tillman’s line above is official.

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado, playing his second game since coming off the disabled list, is 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored against West Virginia. He’s also started two double plays.

First baseman Mike Flacco hit his fourth home run.