Matusz falters in third (Jones homers in fourth)

Brian Matusz retired the first six batters he faced today in Kansas City. The first three batters in the third inning conspired to create a 2-0 deficit for him and the Orioles. Alcides Escobar reached on an infield hit, Irving Falu singled and Humberto Quintero doubled over center fielder Adam Jones' head to score two runs. Escobar, Falu and Quintero. Not exactly Murderers' Row, but they killed any chance Matusz had of taking a shutout into the fourth. Quintero took third on the throw, and he jogged home on Johnny Giavotella's single. I'm surprised Quintero didn't need some assistance getting around the bases. He caught all 15 innings last night. Billy Butler also singled, giving the Royals five hits in the inning before Matusz recorded his second out. Matusz is allowing almost 16 baserunners per nine innings. On the plus side, for you radar gun enthusiasts, his fastball has been clocked at 93-94 mph this afternoon. Matusz has allowed 12 runs and 22 hits in his last three starts covering 13 2/3 innings. Of course, he's not done today. He'll come back out for the fourth with his pitch count at 56. Update: The Orioles are 11-1 when Adam Jones hits a home run. Jones just hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to reduce Kansas City's lead to 3-2. Cha-ching! Jones has homered in three straight games and seven of his last 13. Last season, his 13th homer didn't come until June 25.