Matusz on the mound: Lefty latest starter to shine as O's top Tigers

For the Orioles it was a case of another night and another outstanding performance from a starting pitcher. Brian Matusz had the honors on Saturday night, allowing just one run over six innings as the Orioles tamed the Tigers 2-1, in front of 35,332 at Camden Yards to take the first three games of this series. Matusz gave up just two hits and one was a solo homer by Brandon Inge in the 2nd. He improved to 10-12, 4.30 and won for the sixth time over his last eight starts. The O's three starters in this series have given up just seven hits and two runs over 21 innings.

Over their past five wins, O's starters have pitched to an ERA of 0.31, allowing just two runs and 12 hits over 35 innings. Matusz needed 28 pitches in the first inning and left after throwing an even 100 pitches. He walked two and fanned a career-high nine batters. The 23-year-old lefty went 6-0, 1.57 over his final eight starts and had an ERA of 2.18 in 11 starts since Buck Showalter took over. Koji Uehara pitched the 9th, recording his 13th save. On the night, four O's pitchers fanned 13 batters. The O's tied the game 1-1 on a Nick Markakis solo homer to right in the 4th. It was his second in two nights and 12th of the year. A Matt Wieters' sac fly to deep center in the 5th scored Felix Pie, who had doubled, for a 2-1 lead. The Orioles have won five of their last six games and are 34-22 with Showalter. It was another fast O's game, taking an even two hours to play. They are 66-95 on the season which ends Sunday at 1:35 when Brad Bergesen (8-11, 5.02) is set to make his 28th start of the year.