EL1 Chesapeake Baysox

Matusz gets offensive with Defenders

Published on July 27, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Chesapeake Baysox News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Brian Matusz held the Connecticut bats silent through 7.0 innings while the Baysox offense hustled their way to a 6-0 victory over the defenders. Center fielder Danny Figueroa scored two runs, breaking up a potential double play in the fifth inning that led to a four-run rally for the Baysox. The win improves Bowie to 56-46 on the season, 5.5 games behind first place Akron.

Battling through the hot and humid conditions at Prince George's Stadium, Matusz struck out six while allowing four hits to earn his seventh straight win since joining the Baysox on June 15. In 18 starts between Class A Frederick and Bowie, the left-hander has allowed only 25 earned runs while striking out 120 in 112.0 innings pitched.

"It's important on a four-game home-stand against a tough team to go deep into games and help the bullpen a little bit," Matusz said.

The 22-year-old left hander ran into trouble in the fourth inning, walking Brett Pill on four pitches to start the inning. After striking out Eddy Martinez-Esteve for the first out, Matusz issued a free pass to Mike Mooney to put a runner in scoring position. Ramon Castro looked to take a Matusz fastball the opposite way for a hit, but first baseman Eric Crozier made a diving stop and threw to Matusz covering first for the second out of the inning. After a walk to Tyler LaTorre loaded the bases, Sharlon Schoop flied out to right field to end the threat. The three walks in the inning matches his total over his last four games combined, but the young lefty did not flinch when the pressure was on.

"Good pitchers, when they get guys on second and third, that is when they're most dominant," he said. "I made some good pitches to get out of that and (Eric) Crozier made a great play which was huge."

The Baysox offense took the momentum and pushed two runs across in the bottom of the fourth inning without recording a hit. Connecticut starter Geivy Garcia followed the lead of his counterpart, walking the bases loaded with one out. Second baseman Paco Figueroa grounded into a fielders' choice, plating twin brother Danny Figueroa to give the Baysox a 1-0 lead. With runners at first and third with two outs, Paco Figueroa looked to steal second base. As the throw went to second, Concepcion took off for the plate sliding home safely for the Baysox second run.

They would add four more in the fifth thanks to bad defense by the Defenders as well as great hustle from the Baysox. Third baseman Jason White singled with one out against Connecticut reliever Dan Griffin, taking second when Mike McBryde misplayed the hop in center field. Left fielder Jonathan Tucker followed with an infield single, and Danny Figueroa blooped a single down the right field line scoring one and putting runners at first and third. Crozier bounced a ball to Brock Bond at second, but his throw to short was in the dirt and Schoop could not gather it with Figueroa bearing down hard on the play. Tucker scored on the play, and kept the inning alive for Concepcion who brought home Figueroa with an RBI single. Paco Figueroa added an RBI double, and the Baysox led 6-0 heading into the sixth inning.

"My number one goal is to get on base and have the guys behind me knock me in," Danny Figueroa said. "I was trying to get to second as fast as I could and fortunately I didn't give him a chance to catch it."

A six-run lead was more than enough for Matusz, who continued to miss the Connecticut bats on the way to his sixth scoreless outing of the season. Of his six strikeouts on the night, five came of the swing and miss variety, two on changeups and three on curveballs. While he knows his secondary stuff will always be there for him, Matusz says he's done a batter job of working off his fastball to set up the hitters for his off-speed pitches.

"My curveball has always been a pitch that I've had a good feel for. This year (Orioles Manager) Dave Trembley and (Pitching Coach) Rick Kranitz said they wanted me to not use it as much and work off my fastball and that's what I've been doing," he said. "The goal is to get to the major leagues and whatever advice they tell me and whatever they want me to do is what I'm going to do to make it there."

Baltimore reliever Chris Ray made his second appearance with the Baysox to start the seventh inning. Rehabbing from arm injuries that has cost him most of the last two seasons, the right-hander touched 96 mph on the radar gun during a scoreless seventh inning.

"I kept (the offspeed pitches) down in the zone, I got hurt keeping the ball up in the big leagues so it's been a good adjustment so far," Ray said. "Since my arm is in the right place I'm starting to get some muscle soreness which is welcome. I'd rather pitch with some soreness in my arm if it is where it's supposed to be, so that's a good sign."

Ray also came away very impressed with Matusz, saying he can see what makes him such a special talent.

"7-0 isn't bad for a first year guy at Double-A," Ray joked after the game. "What surprised me most is how level-headed he is and what a good kid he is."

The seven-game winning streak for Matusz is the longest by a Baysox pitcher since teammate Radhames Liz won eight straight starts over a two-year stretch from July 5, 2007 until June 25, 2009. Liz (4-1, 2.05) will take the mound for the Baysox tomorrow against Connecticut LHP Madison Bumgarner (7-1, 1.56 ERA). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

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