Brian Matusz struggles again; Orioles Lose first out West against Angels

We all as fans are wondering if Brian Matusz will ever again show promise as a pitcher that was on display at the end of 2010?

On Friday night, that wish did not manifest itself as Matusz lost his 12th straight game and the Orioles lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 6-3.

The Orioles are now 8-6 on the season; meanwhile, the Angels who have been struggling – losing three in a row before Friday – are 5-9.

Friday’s loss was not all his fault, as the Orioles committed three errors – including two by Robert Andino, a throwing error by Adam Jones in the sixth that allowed a run to come in - on the night. The offense did not help much at all, as they mustered seven hits and could not get to Jerome Williams – who started the game for the Angels and got the win.

Watching on MLB.tv from the Big Apple this morning, it was fairly frustrating to watch this team for the first time in a while. Matusz was shaky, as he allowed two runs in the first inning, another in the first, got through three more frames that teetered on potentially disastrous. After he was removed from the game in the sixth inning, Matusz was lifted in favor of Darren O’Day, who gave up two more runs.

Overall, Matusz only lasted five frames and gave up runs – four earned on nine hits. I guess if you are looking for positive out of Matusz’s start, he struck out six Angels.

Baltimore’s scoring came in the third inning as J.J. Hardy plated in a run with an RBI-single, and they added two more in the sixth as Nolan Reimold – hit a two-run homer – his fifth on the season.

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