We all as fans are wondering if Brian Matusz will ever again show promise as a pitcher that was on display at the end of 2010?
On Friday night, that wish did not manifest itself as Matusz lost his 12th straight game and the Orioles lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 6-3.
The Orioles are now 8-6 on the season; meanwhile, the Angels who have been struggling – losing three in a row before Friday – are 5-9.
Friday’s loss was not all his fault, as the Orioles committed three errors – including two by Robert Andino, a throwing error by Adam Jones in the sixth that allowed a run to come in – on the night. The offense did not help much at all, as they mustered seven hits and could not get to Jerome Williams – who started the game for the Angels and got the win.
Watching on MLB.tv from the Big Apple this morning, it was fairly frustrating to watch this team for the first time in a while. Matusz was shaky, as he allowed two runs in the first inning, another in the first, got through three more frames that teetered on potentially disastrous. After he was removed from the game in the sixth inning, Matusz was lifted in favor of Darren O’Day, who gave up two more runs.
Overall, Matusz only lasted five frames and gave up runs – four earned on nine hits. I guess if you are looking for positive out of Matusz’s start, he struck out six Angels.
Baltimore’s scoring came in the third inning as J.J. Hardy plated in a run with an RBI-single, and they added two more in the sixth as Nolan Reimold – hit a two-run homer – his fifth on the season.
The question for now is this? Do you keep running Matusz out there?
According to the Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly, “Dating to June 10, 2011, a span of 13 starts, Matusz is 0-12 with an 11.64 ERA. The only stretch of losing longer than Matusz’s was turned in by Mike Boddicker in 1987-1988, when he lost 14 consecutive games.”
Ouch.
I had high hopes for him coming into the 2012 season; however, while Matsuz has had some positives over the first month of the season, overall, he has not looked.
I’m not sure how much more patience Buck Showalter and the brass will have will have for Matusz if he continues his poor outings.
However, I think they will keep trotting him out there. Hopefully things get better for him, sooner rather than later.
