Matusz littering the bases but limiting the damage (O's down 3-1)

Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz has faced 14 batters in the first three innings tonight. The Angels have six hits. How is the score 1-0? Well, the Angels stranded Albert Pujols at second base in the first inning after his two-out double in his Camden Yards debut. They stranded Howie Kendrick and Maicer Izturis in the second inning after they singled. And they managed only one run in the third despite a leadoff double by Mike Trout and RBI single by Torii Hunter. Matusz threw eight pitches in the first inning, 18 in the second and 19 in the third. The damage could have been much worse, but Hunter got caught in a rundown on Pujols' bouncer to the mound - score the putout 1-4-5 - and Kendrick grounded into a double play after Mark Trumbo's single. Matusz was victimized by some sloppy defense behind him in his April 20 start against the Angels in Anaheim, and Steve Tolleson appeared to misjudge Pujols' ball that cleared his head for a double. He broke back a little late and couldn't make a leaping catch. Not an easy play. Trout scored easily on Hunter's single to center field because he's got ridiculous speed. Hunter took second on Adam Jones' throw home, putting another runner in scoring position, but the rundown bailed out Matusz. The Orioles don't have a hit off Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson through the third inning, but they did get a baserunner when Tolleson walked in the third. They've hit one ball out of the infield. Update: The Angels had eight hits in four innings, but their lead remained 1-0 before Pujols followed Hunter's one-out single in the fifth with his 12th home run this season. The Angels now have 10 hits and a 3-0 lead. And Matusz has matched his season high for hits allowed. He also surrendered 10 on May 7 against the Rangers. In the fourth inning, Erick Aybar reached on an infield hit and tried to score from first base with two outs on John Hester's single into left-center field. Jones cut off the ball and fired to Brian Roberts, who threw home for the out. Aybar held up at third momentarily before taking off again. The Orioles put runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but they're 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position tonight, making them 1-for-35. Mark Reynolds popped up and Wilson Betemit grounded out. Jones and Matt Wieters singled with one out, and Jones swiped third base. The Orioles didn't have a steal since June 5. Down on the farm, Zach Britton has held Columbus to one hit in four scoreless innings, with one walk and two strikeouts. And Brandon Waring has homered in three straight games, the first two with Double-A Bowie before today's promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. Update II: Matusz has tied his career high by allowing 11 hits in five innings. He trails, 3-1, after Steve Pearce's second home run with the Orioles. The Orioles continued to threaten against Wilson in the fifth. Tolleson singled and stole second, and Robert Andino walked. Brian Roberts laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Aybar made a lunging catch of J.J. Hardy's liner and Jones grounded out. The Orioles' stretch of futility with RISP is now 1-for-37. And Hardy is mired in a 3-for-35 slump. Izturis singled leading off the sixth, so that's 12 hits for the Angels - a new career high for Matusz, who won't be celebrating it. Tommy Hunter is warming in the bullpen.



Is the deck stacked against the Orioles tonight?
More random notes before first pitch
 

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