masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles manager Dave Trembley could have left rookie Brian Matusz in the game to face Darnell McDonald with runners on the corners and none out in the seventh inning.

He could have brought in right-hander Matt Albers, knowing Boston manager Terry Francona was going to send up a pinch-hitter as the potential go-ahead run.

Trembley removed Matusz, who got a pitch up that Jeremy Hermida lined into right-center field for a single before coming out of the game. Francona countered with David Ortiz,…Orioles manager Dave Trembley could have left rookie Brian Matusz in the game to face Darnell McDonald with runners on the corners and none out in the seventh inning.

He could have brought in right-hander Matt Albers, knowing Boston manager Terry Francona was going to send up a pinch-hitter as the potential go-ahead run.

Trembley removed Matusz, who got a pitch up that Jeremy Hermida lined into right-center field for a single before coming out of the game. Francona countered with David Ortiz, who homered last night but otherwise has been Little Papi.

Ortiz struck out looking, but Marco Scutaro followed with a three-run homer over the Green Monster.

Boston 4, Orioles 3.

Some fans will say Trembley removed Matusz too soon with the left-hander’s pitch count at 102. Others will say he brought in the wrong reliever.

Can anyone be trusted in this bullpen?

Matusz deserved better – and I have a feeling I’ll be writing that line many times this season.

Update: Kevin Youkilis just belted a three-run homer off Kam Mickolio, and Matusz sits in the dugout wondering where it all went wrong.