Sunday, October 3, 2010

Matusz Mows Down Tigers

My wife and I were in attendance as Brian Matusz and the O's 'pen struck out 13 batters in a 2-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday night.

In a quick contest (the game lasted just two hours) the Orioles won their fourth straight with dominant pitching, great defense and a few timely hits.

Matusz (10-12) lasted just six innings, but allowed only two hits (one a solo homer in the second) and two walks while fanning a career-best nine batters. Mike Gonzalez and Jim Johnson held the Tigers hitless over the next two frames, and Koji Uehara worked around a lead-off single in the ninth to pick up his 13th save in 15 tries.

Nick Markakis put the Birds on the board with a solo blast in the fourth. Markakis has just 12 homers this season, but has went deep in two straight games. Matt Wieters' sac fly in the fifth gave the O's the lead and eventually the win.

The Orioles have just one game left in 2010, and have a chance to sweep Detroit and win five straight games for the first time all year. The O's (66-95) are now 34-22 under Buck Showalter, and send Brad Bergesen to the mound on Sunday afternoon.

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