Post-game Notes: Matusz and O's top Tigers

O's lefty Brian Matusz retired the side in order on just 11 pitches in the first inning. He got out of jams in the second, third and fifth innings and picked up a win in his Major League debut. Matusz tonight: 5IP, 6H, 1R-ER, 3B, 5K....99 pitches. Matusz struck out Marcus Thames and Ryan Raburn with runners on second and third and just one out in the last of the 5th to preserve what was then just a 3-1 lead. Pick Six - The Orioles have had six pitchers make their Major League debuts this season and all have done well. The O's went 6-0 in those games and five pitchers got wins. Here's the breakdown: April 8, Koji vs. NYY: 5IP, 5H, 1R-ER, 1B, 0K.........................86 pitches....WP April 21, Bergesen vs. CWS: 5 2/3IP, 4H, 3R. 1ER, 2B, 4K......95 pitches......WP May 26, Berken vs. Tor: 5IP, 7H, 2R-ER, 3B, 3K...................89 pitches.......WP May 28, Hernandez vs. Det: 5 2/3IP, 5H, 1R-ER, 4B, 3K........108 pitches...WP July 29, Tillman vs. KC: 4 2/3IP, 7H, 3R-ER, 1B, 2K...............93 pitches....ND Tonight, Brian Matusz vs. Det: 5IP, 6H, 1R-ER, 3B, 5K.........99 pitches......WP Total: 31IP, 34H, 9ER, 14B, 17K......5-0, 2.61ERA The O's set a modern Major League record (since 1900), becoming the first team to have five pitchers win Major League debuts in one season. The 1888 Chicago White Stockings, who later became the Cubs, had six pitchers do it. The Orioles got six runs in 5 1/3 tonight off Jarrod Washburn. That was pretty impressive when you consider that Washburn had allowed one run or less in five straight starts before tonight. Plus he entered this game with an ERA of 2.64, tied for second best in the American League. Washburn last five games: 3ER in 36 2/3IP.....0.74 ERA Washburn tonight vs. O's: 6ER in 5 1/3IP......10.13 ERA In his first two starts this year vs. the Orioles, Washburn was 1-1, 0.56 and that included a one-hit shutout he pitched vs. the Orioles on July 6th at Seattle. Washburn had allowed just two runs in the first inning all year in 20 starts and he gave up one run in the first to the Orioles tonight. In his previous eight games, Washburn had given up just one hit in 26 at bats with runners in scoring position. That's an .038 average. Tonight the O's went 2 for 4 vs. him with RISP. Nick the Stick - Nick Markakis went 3 for 5 with a two-run homer and 3 RBI on the night. He is now 12 for 29 with a homer and 10 RBI during a seven-game batting streak. For Markakis, 13 of his last 29 hits have gone for extra bases. Cesar Izturis went 3 for 4 with a solo homer and 3 RBI. That tied his season high as he also had a 3 RBI game on May 14 vs. Kansas City. It was his second homer of the year. His first came back on April 6th, opening day vs. the Yankees. Brian Roberts had one hit, a first-inning double, to extend a batting streak. It was his 300th career double. Roberts is batting .371 (13 for 35) with four doubles and nine runs scored during an eight-game hitting streak. Matusz's performance came when it was really needed. The O's team ERA was 8.58 over the previous four games. No gopher balls - O's pitching did not allow a homer tonight. That snaps a streak of seven consecutive games where the Orioles had given up a home run. The O's end a four-game losing streak and win for the 3rd time in nine games and 4th time in 15 games. The Birds are 3-3 on the year vs. Detroit and now 5-13 since the All-Star break. Minor League note - New Bowie third baseman Josh Bell left tonight's game in New Hampshire in the second inning with a minor ankle injury. The injury is not considered major. Bell told the coaches he could continue but was taken out as precaution.