Checking on Matusz (rehab assignment appears over)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 27, 2011, 4:15pm

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Left-hander Brian Matusz has completed four innings tonight at Triple-A Norfolk, and he's working on a two-hit shutout against the Columbus Clippers. Matusz has walked one batter and struck out six. He's thrown 66 pitches, including 42 for strikes. The Orioles are hoping to get seven innings out of Matusz. As always, the pitch count will dictate how far he goes. Matusz struck out three batters in the second, but he also issued a walk. This is Matusz's third start on his injury rehab assignment. Before tonight, he allowed one run and five hits in 10 combined innings at Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, with three walks and three strikeouts. Update: Matusz left the game after five-plus innings. He gave up two singles to open the sixth, the second on a bunt, before Pat Egan replaced him. Matusz allowed four hits, walked one and struck out seven. He threw 83 pitches, 53 for strikes. Matusz retired seven in a row and 11 of 12 before the sixth. Update II: Pat Egan allowed an inherited runner to score, so Matusz's line is complete. One run and four hits in five-plus innings. Matusz will fly out to Oakland tomorrow and, it's assumed, start the June 1 game in Seattle.