For those worried about Orioles rookie left-hander Brian Matusz and focused on his poor win-loss record and mid-4.00 ERA, there is one statistic that you may want to consider.
In eight starts this season against the three heavyweights of the American League East, Matusz has a 2.90 ERA and has allowed just 41 hits in 492/3 innings.
That includes three solid starts against the Boston Red Sox, whom Matusz completely shut down Sunday, pitching seven shutout innings and tying a career high with eight strikeouts in the Orioles' much-needed 6-1 victory in front of an announced 37,742 at Fenway Park.
It was Matusz's first win since April 18, a span of 14 outings, and it should quiet at least some of the skepticism about the starter, who began the season as an American League Rookie of the Year candidate but had dropped nine straight decisions entering Sunday.
"Man, everybody is always worried about something," said center fielder Adam Jones, who drove in a run as the Orioles scored four runs off John Lackey to deal the Red Sox right-hander his first loss since May 21. "There is no one that is doing what he's doing. He's 23 years old in the big leagues, and he's battling his tail off. He has tremendous stuff and tremendous upside. He's just like any other young player. He's going to go through a rough patch in the big leagues. ÃÂÃÂ When he struggles, he struggles. But when he's good, you're going to get days like today. It was fun to watch."
Indeed it was for the Orioles, who avoided a three-game sweep by the injury-decimated Red Sox and won for just the third time in their last 20 games at Fenway Park. The Orioles (25-56) improved to 6-6 against the Red Sox this year, and they also celebrated the exact midpoint of the season with one of their better all-around efforts.
The offense had 11 hits, including three each by Nick Markakis and Cesar Izturis, and took advantage of an error by shortstop Marco Scutaro to score twice in the eighth, and a misplay on right fielder J.D. Drew to tack on two more runs in the ninth.
The defense played flawlessly, and Matusz (3-9) and three Orioles relievers combined to hold Boston to three hits. It tied a season low for the Red Sox and was the fewest Orioles pitchers had allowed in a game at Fenway Park since they held Boston to three hits in a 3-1 victory on June 1, 1991. First baseman Kevin Youkilis avoided the shutout with a solo shot off Jason Berken to lead off the ninth inning, but that was pretty much the only Boston offensive highlight.
"We scored some runs for Brian, who has been throwing the ball fairly well for us, and we haven't been able to score runs," Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel said. "It was nice to see us play good defense and get some big hits. It was a great all-around ballgame."
It started with Matusz, who retired the first six Red Sox he faced, three on strikeouts, and then got out of a jam in the third inning. Bill Hall singled, and Matusz hit Daniel Nava, but Gustavo Molina popped up a bunt back to the pitcher, and Matusz then retired Scutaro and Darnell McDonald.
Boston then had men on second and third with one out in the fourth, and Matusz fanned Drew and got Hall to line out. Left-handed hitters David Ortiz and Drew combined to go 0-for-6 against Matusz with five strikeouts.
Coming "into the game, statistically, he had actually had a harder, tougher time versus lefties, and he was so tough on David and J.D. today," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He threw David fastballs in his first at-bat, and then he threw a lot of breaking balls and really gave them a tough time. Some of our righties squared up some balls, but we certainly didn't sustain anything or get much going. He pitched really well."
Pitching coach Rick Kranitz said he felt Matusz went back to the basics, throwing more four-seam fastballs earlier in the game. Kranitz said that made Matusz's slider, which he used repeatedly to get out of trouble, even more effective.
In three starts against Boston this year, Matusz is 1-0 with a 2.41 ERA, and he's surrendered 12 hits and 10 walks while striking out 19 in 18 2/3 innings. In three starts against the New York Yankees, he is 0-3, but he has a 2.41 ERA and three quality starts. Against the Tampa Bay Rays, he is 1-0 in two starts with a 4.38 ERA.
"Sure, it's real big," Matusz said. "Those are the guys I'm going to be facing a bunch. I take a lot of pride out of throwing good games against the [AL] East. It feels good. I haven't faced the Blue Jays yet this year, but my other starts against the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox, I've felt like I've been able to put a lot of focus in those games and kind of bear down to throw well."
While the numbers may not suggest it, most Oriole officials have been reasonably pleased with Matusz's progress. He's allowed three runs or fewer in 12 of his 17 starts, but a lack of run support and poor defense have wreaked havoc on his win-loss record. But finally Sunday, he had something to show for a strong outing.
Asked about breaking his losing streak, Matusz said: "I knew someone was going to ask that question. I talk about it all the time -- I really don't judge my performance based on getting a win or a loss. Obviously, it's nice for the team to get a win, but I don't really look at it too much like that. Yeah, it's been tough. I went 2 1/2 months without getting a win, I do know that. So it is nice getting that win. But I never judge my performance off that."