masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles left-hander Brian Matusz might not pitch again this season, which would deny him the chance to lower his ERA and avoid a most dubious distinction.

According to STATSPASS, Matusz’s 10.68 ERA is the highest in major league history for any pitcher with at least 10 starts. I’m providing the Top 10 below. I’m only including the number of starts, not relief appearances.

Keep in mind that his record hasn’t been updated. He’s facing another loss unless the Orioles rally tonight. They…Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz might not pitch again this season, which would deny him the chance to lower his ERA and avoid a most dubious distinction.

According to STATSPASS, Matusz’s 10.68 ERA is the highest in major league history for any pitcher with at least 10 starts. I’m providing the Top 10 below. I’m only including the number of starts, not relief appearances.

Keep in mind that his record hasn’t been updated. He’s facing another loss unless the Orioles rally tonight. They trail 11-9 in the bottom of the sixth.

1. Brian Matusz, 2011, Orioles, 1-7, 10.68 ERA, 11 starts
2. Roy Halladay, 2000, Toronto, 4-7, 10.64 ERA, 13 starts
3. Charlie Stecher, 1890, Philadelphia, 0-10, 10.32 ERA, 10 starts
4. Micah Bowie, 1999, Atlanta and Cubs, 2-7, 10.24 ERA, 11 starts
5. Aaron Myette, 2002, Texas, 2-5, 10.06 ERA, 12 starts
6. Steve Blass, 1973, Pittsburgh, 3-9, 9.85 ERA, 18 starts
7. Sean Bergman, 2000, Minnesota, 4-5, 9.66 ERA, 14 starts
8. Andy Larkin, 1998, Florida, 3-8, 9.64 ERA, 14 starts
9. Edgar Gonzalez, 2004, Arizona, 0-9, 9.32, 10 starts
10. Todd Van Poppel, 1996, Oakland and Detroit, 3-9, 9.06 ERA, 15 starts

The list also includes former Oriole Josh Towers, who ranks 17th after going 2-10 with an 8.42 ERA in 12 starts (15 games) with Toronto in 2006, and Jimmy Haynes, who ranks 20th after going 3-6 with an 8.29 ERA in 11 starts (26 games) with the Orioles in 1996.

Update: Jacoby Ellsbury hit an inside-the-park home run off Jeremy Accardo leading off the seventh, but that was the nicest thing to happen to the Orioles. Conor Jackson hit a grand slam off Brad Bergesen later in the inning.

The Red Sox lead, 18-9. Boston should be able to hold this lead unless John Lackey petitions for a reentry rule.