Matusz on Matusz (updated)
Today's attendance: 8,092, a record for the largest baseball crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, breaking the mark of 8,088 set earlier this spring.
I didn't think they could squeeze in four more people.
Brian Matusz didn't realize that the Philies brought their A lineup to today's game until he heard it recited over the PA system.
"I was warming up in the bullpen and I hear the roster and I'm thinking, 'Well, that's everyone. Looks like they traveled with the whole team,'" he said.
"I got a little amped up. I was excited. And at times in the game I was overthrowing a little bit, but at the same time I was able to relax and keep my exposure. I did a great job throwing strikes today. When I did get behind in the count, they were on pitches that were just slightly off the plate, so I wasn't mad because I was around the zone the whole game.
"Little bit different philosophy with (Chad) Moeller behind the plate. In the later innings, I was starting off with some breaking pitches here and there and it was good. My changeup was excellent today. I got a lot of ground balls out of it. And I threw a couple really good curveballs over for strikes.
"The only thing I'm a little bit upset about is the way my slider was today. It just wasn't there in key situations when I needed it. Especially with (Chase) Utley up with one out and a guy on third. I got ahead 0-2 and I really wanted to bury a slider down and away. It was a situation where I needed a strikeout. I tried to overthrow it and it backed up on me and he was able to reach out and hit it through the hole. That's the one pitch I'm upset about and wish I could have back, but everything else was great."
I'll have more from Matusz later today.
In the meantime, Jim Johnson gave up two runs in the seventh to tie the game, 3-3. He allowed three hits, walked a batter and hit another. His spring ERA is 7.36.
Will Ohman replaced Johnson with the bases loaded and got the last out.
Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Robert Andino each have two hits today.
Matt Angle replaced Nolan Reimold in the sixth. Reimold looked like he was running full speed on a ground ball in the hole to open the fifth. We'll find out whether the Achilles was barking at him again or manager Dave Trembley wanted him out of the game after two at-bats.
Update: Andino scored on Jones' sacrifice fly in the seventh to give the Orioles a 4-3 lead. Wilfrido Perez is pitching.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
I have to laugh. I just got done saying how long is it until this bullpen blows a typical lead. PRESTO!
Back to the norm for the Orioles.
When are they going to get it. This group isn't either talented enough or motivated enough to win at this level
Little off topic... but what happened to Spencer Fordin?
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Moving to NY but still working for MLB.com. - Roch
Brian Matusz didn't realize that the Philies brought their A lineup to today's game until he heard it recited over the PA system.
Kranitz gets a A+ for making sure his pitchers are prepared. You have to be kidding me Matusz didnt know what players he was to face!
Good turn out for sure....the idea of being in Sarasota is sounding better and better all the time...
JJ has been like most of the other pitchers this ST...just not doing that well...we still havwe 3 weeks to get ready though.
For some reason that manufactured run in the bottom of the 7th was really encouraging. I'm not sure what to think about Jim Johnson. He didn't pitch great, but there were two infield hits. Sounds like his control isn't there. I'm guess Koji will be the setup guy. Hope JJ gets his stuff together.
A little wake up again from the offense again...good job by Ohman...Andino aeems to play well...we need to hold the lead this time and win a game.
"Little bit different philosophy with (Chad) Moeller behind the plate".
Would you interpret that comment as a negative for Weiters catching him? That he doesn't have Moeller's experience or just not as good a defensive catcher? Or just a slip of the tongue?
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There's nothing negative about it. All he meant was that Moeller called some different pitches later in the game, changing things up a bit. It had nothing to do with Wieters. - Roch
How does the DL work for the beginning of the season. Could Roberts be put on the DL 5 days before the season starts so that he would then only miss 10 days of the regular season or does he have to start the 15 day count beginning with opening day?
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It can be backdated. - Roch
Roch:
I guess you could say, "IT"S JUST A MATUSZ OF TIME"?
With your reports, I feel like I'm sitting here reading the old ticker tape of a ballgame. The only things missing are the crack of the bat and canned crowd noises. Great job by you and Brian.
JO
Roch,
It seems like Matusz memory-recall is really great. Maybe some of that is his unusual willingness to want to speak honestly with the media, but he really gets detailed about the craft of his pitching. With any other pitcher they'd respond with "I was throwing a lot of strikes." With Matusz, he tells you about going for a K vs. Utley with a slider, but it backed up on him. Wow.
Do you see this kind of difference too?
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Absolutely. He's a great interview. - Roch
All game the Phillie announcers have been complaining about the bright white warning track reflecting the sun...what gives?
What did Matusz mean exactly when he said " little bit different philosophy with Moeller behind the plate".? Is he inferring he'd rather pitch to Moeller? Just curious.....I'm probably reading too much into the statement.
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He just meant Moeller took a different approach to pitch selection later in the game. That's all. - Roch