Hobgood with a strong first two innings at Aberdeen (updated)

ABERDEEN, Md. - In his last outing for the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds, right-hander Matt Hobgood gave up nine runs in just 2 2/3 innings. This start tonight at Ripken Stadium is going a little better for him so far. He has retired the side in order in the first two innings on just 22 pitches. The Orioles' first-round pick in the 2009 draft is working his way back from a strained rotator cuff. Making his fifth start this evening for Aberdeen against Hudson Valley, Hobgood threw 15 pitches in the first inning and got the side in order on just seven pitches in the second inning. Hobgood retired the Renegades in the first with what looked like all fastballs, ranging from 88-90. He did get the inning's last out, a groundout to first against the New York-Penn League's homer leader, with a 92 mph heater. In the second he got a fly out to shallow right, a groundout to third and a weak pop to center with a couple of pitches hitting 91 and 92. Hobgood gave up four earned runs in eight innings over his first two Aberdeen starts, but allowed 15 runs in just 4 1/3 in his two starts before this one. Tonight's game started nearly an hour late due to a rain delay and is scoreless in the top of the third. Updated: Hobgood has now pitched four innings and has given up three hits and one run as Hudson Valley leads 1-0 in the last of the fourth at Ripken Stadium Hobgood retired the first two batters in the third, then gave up a single and booming RBI double to deep center before a strikeout ended that frame. With two outs and none on the fourth, he gave up a single and hit a batter but got out of that jam with another strikeout. He may now be done for the night after throwing 53 pitches, 35 for strikes over four innings for Aberdeen.