masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOn June 2, Brian Matusz tossed 7 1/3 innings and pitched the Orioles to an important win on the road against Tampa Bay. But over his last three starts, he has pitched a total of 12 1/3 innings, allowing 11 earned runs for an ERA of 8.03.

After those outings, where he lasted just two innings, 5 2/3 and 4 2/3, losing all three games, he will try to pitch the Orioles past the Los Angeles Angels here tonight in the opener of a two-game series.

Matusz took the loss against the Angels on April 20,…On June 2, Brian Matusz tossed 7 1/3 innings and pitched the Orioles to an important win on the road against Tampa Bay. But over his last three starts, he has pitched a total of 12 1/3 innings, allowing 11 earned runs for an ERA of 8.03.

After those outings, where he lasted just two innings, 5 2/3 and 4 2/3, losing all three games, he will try to pitch the Orioles past the Los Angeles Angels here tonight in the opener of a two-game series.

Matusz took the loss against the Angels on April 20, allowing four earned runs and nine hits over five innings. He is 1-3 with a 6.10 ERA in four career starts against Los Angeles.

In six home starts this year, Matusz is 2-3 with a 4.64 ERA. Matusz was one of eight pitchers in the American League to win four games in May, joining Bruce Chen, Felix Doubront, Brandon Morrow, Chris Sale, Max Scherzer, Joe Smith (all in relief) and Jerome Williams.

Here is a strange Matusz stat: He has allowed 20 of his 49 runs in the sixth inning. According to Elias, that is the most runs allowed in one inning in the majors. His ERA is 18.00 in that inning and opponents are hitting .478 against him in the sixth inning in 2012.

He has six quality starts in 14 outings this season and the Orioles are 6-8 when he starts, losing four of his last five starts after a stretch where they won three in a row.