Last night, the Baltimore Orioles dropped their first game of the young season, losing to the New York Yankees, 6-2 at Camden Yards.
For Brian Matusz, who started his first game of the 2012 campaign after a year of struggles, well … struggled on Monday night.
He only lasted four innings, and threw 90+ plus pitches during that time frame. Not good. He seemed to be doing fine through the first three frames, as he only gave up a run; however, in the fourth, the Yankees plated in three runs and Matusz labored through the frame. He was pulled after that. However, he threw with some improved velocity – in the low 90’s – and got some help from his defense, but the New Yorkers were too much.
Overall, Matusz is certainly improved and had some good moments yesterday, but a veteran-filled New York lineup worked him and eventually waited for their pitches and jumped on him. He didn’t help his cause with four walks, and against a team like the Yankees, that’s deadly.
Matusz will probably get a few more starts to figure himself out; however, if he does not, his rope may be short, and with a lot of pitching depth in the organization, he might be sent back to Norfolk.
The bullpen was shaky thereafter, as Darren O’Day and Troy Patton each gave up runs; however, Kevin Gregg and Pedro Strop each kept the Yankees from scoring anymore.
For the Orioles, Matt Wieters hit his second homer of the year – a solo shot in the second inning off Yankee Starter Ivan Nova. Nova was solid, earning the win and giving up two runs in seven innings, although the Orioles got ten hits off of him.
As well, Wieters was an impressive for 4-for-4 on the night, raising his batting average to .385.
Chris Davis and Robert Andino each had two hits.
The Yankees had only six hits on the night; however, Derek Jeter – who I thought was close to be being done a few seasons ago – also had four hits and drove in a run. No matter what you think of him, he’s got intangibles and his inside-out swing is something to behold.
Tonight Wei-Yin Chen makes his major league and Oriole debut on the mound against battle-tested veteran Freddy Garcia.
Finally, you have to love Robert Andino mixing it up with Russell Martin. It’s pretty much about nothing and somewhat minor, but at least the man cares.
He may not be an All-Star, but you have to love his swagger, grit, hustle, and the ability at times to come through in the clutch. The man will always live in Orioles folklore for what he did last year in game 162 and his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox…
