Matusz gives up three runs in second (trails 4-1)

Left-hander Brian Matusz followed a scoreless first inning tonight with a messy second that's placed the Orioles in a 3-0 hole. Matusz walked a batter in the first and two more in the second. He gave up an RBI double to Scott Sizemore on an 82 mph changeup, an RBI bloop single to Cliff Pennington on a 76 mph curveball and a bloop RBI double to Jemile Weeks on a 90 mph fastball. Pitching coach Rick Adair visited the mound as Matusz struggled through a 28-pitch inning that raised his total to 45. Matusz, making his seventh start with the Orioles this season, has allowed three runs and three hits, with three walks and two strikeouts, in two innings. His fastball is in the 87-90 mph range. Matusz threw six 90 mph four-seamers in a row before walking Coco Crisp in the first inning. The damage could have been worse in the second, but Adam Jones picked up his 12th outfield assist by throwing out Pennington at the plate after catching Crisp's fly ball. Catcher Matt Wieters made a phenomenal sweeping tag after moving up the third base line to take the throw and block Crisp's path to the plate. Instant update: Mark Reynolds led off the third with a double, moved to third base on Robert Andino's grounder and scored on Josh Bell's grounder. Oakland 3, Orioles 1. Update II: Matusz hung a changeup to Josh Willingham with one out in the bottom of the third and surrendered his 10th home run this season. Oakland 4, Orioles 1. Down on the farm, Double-A Bowie's Buck Britton hit his third home run on the same night that brother Zach was pitching for Triple-A Norfolk. Single-A Frederick first baseman Mike Flacco hit his third home run. I wrote earlier about Manny Machado being ejected for slamming his helmet to the ground. He was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI before being tossed.