Matusz and O's top Texas, 5-4

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 03, 2010, 6:08pm

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After a poor start, O's rookie lefty Brian Matusz settled in and pitched a solid game Saturday as the Orioles beat Texas 5-4 at Camden Yards. The loss was damaging to the Rangers, who would have pulled within one game of Boston in the wild-card race with a victory. Matusz allowed three runs in the first and not much after that. He improves to 4-2, 5.26. He retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. Matusz allowed six hits and four runs over seven innings, throwing 93 pitches. He allowed a run in the third, but only after Nick Markakis lost a fly ball in the sun that went for a triple. Over his last two starts, Matusz is 2-0, 3.21. Danys Baez needed just seven pitches in a 1-2-3 8th inning and Jim Johnson needed only 11 pitches to hurl a scoreless 9th and record his 8th save. Melvin Mora led the O's on offense with three hits and three RBI. He hit his 7th homer in the second inning, a 402-foot shot to left center. Nolan Reimold had a solo homer and double as the O's improved to 3-6 on this homestand that ends on Sunday. Losing pitcher Kevin Millwood (10-9) gave up five runs over five innings as the Rangers four-game win streak was snapped. Tex.......4-6-1 Balt......5-8-0