Brian Matusz on trade rumors and his outing today (O's win 11-5)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Orioles 11, Boston 5

Recap: Brian Matusz had another strong spring outing, pitching four scoreless innings and allowing just two hits in his second spring start. He has allowed just one run this spring. The O's took a 3-1 lead to the last of the seventh, but Boston scored four runs to lead 5-3. The O's got the lead back, scoring six runs in the eighth. Rusney Castillo hit a three-run homer off Steve Johnson. In the O's big inning, Jonathan Schoop had an RBI single, Ozzie Martinez a two-run double, Dariel Alvarez an RBI single, Caleb Joseph a sac fly and Nolan Reimold a run-scoring double. Julio Borbon added a two-run single in the ninth.

Need to know: Matusz shrugged off any trade rumor distractions with his solid outing. In four spring appearances, he has pitched 10 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and one run with no walks and 10 strikeouts. Tim Berry gave up a two runs (one earned) in an inning, and Johnson walked two and gave up three runs in an inning. Reimold went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Jimmy Paredes went 2-for-3 with an RBI and is batting .448, but also made an error at third base. The Orioles have won four of their last five games and have scored 45 runs in that stretch. Right-hander Mike Wright was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk before the game, leaving the O's with 44 players in camp.

On deck: Saturday, vs. Twins in Fort Myers, 1:05 p.m.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. - After his latest good outing - four scoreless innings today against the Red Sox at JetBlue Park - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz talked about the fact he's been the subject of trade rumors in recent days.

"It's no secret," he said. "Well aware of talks and things going on, but for me, all I can control is what I can control. To get extended and throw all four pitches and pitch my game is really what it's all about."

He was asked if it's exciting to be wanted by other teams.

"Yeah, absolutely," he said. "Right now, being an Oriole, the goal is to go out and get better every day and control what I can. Do whatever I can to help this team."

Matusz said the trade rumors have not been a distraction.

"No, not at all," he said. "Ultimately it is about getting better every day and making pitches. Working in and out, mixing speeds and pitching to my best abilities.

"I'm just staying in the moment right now. Focusing on today. Now we look forward to five days from now and prepare to pitch then."

Matusz had all four pitches working this afternoon against a lineup filled with Boston regulars. He gave up just two singles, with no walks and two strikeouts. He threw 53 pitches, 36 for strikes.

"Felt good to get the opportunity to go out there against their A lineup and to work with (catcher Ryan) Lavarnway and throw all four pitches," he said. "That was the key to being able to mix and use the changeup. Just keep the hitters off balance. Defense was great. Felt good.

"To be able to finish strong and complete four innings was a positive. The goal in spring is to get work, get extended and for me to throw all four pitches."

As for today's game, the Red Sox have taken a 5-3 lead into the eighth. Hanley Ramirez came up with an RBI single off Tim Berry in the sixth. The O's went up 3-1 on Nolan Reimold's RBI single in the seventh before Boston scored four times in the seventh to lead 5-3. Rusney Castillo hit a three-run homer off Steve Johnson.

Now the Orioles have scored five in the eighth to lead 8-5 on a Jonathan Schoop RBI single and Ozzie Martinez's two-run double. Dariel Alvarez single in a run and a Caleb Joseph sac fly made it 8-5.