Bullpen could be busy tonight (Wieters homers)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

April 09, 2012, 3:23pm

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Left-hander Brian Matusz gave up a run in the top of the first inning, which doesn't sound too bad. However, he returned to the dugout with his pitch count at 30. He'll need to become a lot more economical, or we're going to find out how manager Buck Showalter works his bullpen without a true long man. Matusz kept falling behind hitters, though Mark Teixeira's two-out, RBI single came on a 1-2 pitch. Derek Jeter led off with a single, making him 9-for-20 lifetime against Matusz. Alex Rodriguez walked with two outs, and Teixeira singled to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. Teixeira is 7-for-16 lifetime against Matusz, with three RBIs. Matusz's fastball topped out at 92 mph. His velocity is fine. Now he needs to locate. Update: Matusz retired the Yankees in order on 11 pitches in the top of the second inning, and he's no longer trailing. Matt Wieters homered onto the flag court in right field to tie the game in the bottom of the second. Wieters has two homers in nine career at-bats against Ivan Nova.