masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWhen he needed 38 pitches in the first inning tonight, it pretty much insured that Brian Matusz would not get too deep into his start this evening at Fenway Park.

But Matusz pitched well, allowing just three hits and one first-inning run over five innings. He threw 101 pitches, 61 for strikes.

Matusz left with a 2-1 lead so he still has not lost a game since August 14 at Tampa. In his six starts since then, he is 4-0, 1.91. He could get a win tonight.

If he does, it will be his ninth…When he needed 38 pitches in the first inning tonight, it pretty much insured that Brian Matusz would not get too deep into his start this evening at Fenway Park.

But Matusz pitched well, allowing just three hits and one first-inning run over five innings. He threw 101 pitches, 61 for strikes.

Matusz left with a 2-1 lead so he still has not lost a game since August 14 at Tampa. In his six starts since then, he is 4-0, 1.91. He could get a win tonight.

If he does, it will be his ninth victory on the year. Matusz won four of his first 24 starts this year and now has four wins over his past five starts.

In five career starts vs. Boston, Matusz has an ERA of 2.43. In three starts vs. the Sox this year, he has allowed 4 ER over 18 innings for an ERA of 2.00.

At least he pitched with no health concerns tonight after being hit by that line drive in his last start.