Orioles 8, Tigers 2: Introducing Brian Matusz
by duck on Aug 4, 2009 10:59 PM EDT
in Post-Game
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PrintYes, it was only five innings from the starter. Yes, it took 99 pitches to get through them. Yes, the Tigers had runners on base in every inning from the second through the fifth. I know what the stats say. But I say Brian Matusz had about as good a debut for the Orioles tonight as could be reasonably hoped for, let alone expected.
The line may say...
Baltimore IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA
Brian Matusz (W 1-0)
5.0
6
1
1
3
5
0
99-65
1.80
but my eyes saw the future. I saw a great change-up used early in the game to set up a fastball used more effectively after a visit to the mound by pitching coach Rich Kranitz. I saw a slider than struck batters out, and most of all, I saw a young starter not get rattled but bear down and get outs he needed. And I saw a lot of Cesar Izturis.
Cesar was Gold Glove worthy with the defense tonight, and he hit one of his biannual homers as well. Nick Markakis finished a triple shy of the cycle, and even Melvin Mora tried to rehab his images with a RBI in 5 ABs. Of course, his average dropped to .255, and his struck out once and didn't bother diving after at least one reachable ball, but no disrespect, Melvin, no disrespect. (And yes, it's a long way to go to make that joke.)
Chris Ray went 2.2 IP and Matt Albers went 1.1 to finish out the game, and it's a good thing, because the 'pen is absolutely cooked right now. Aside from a strong effort from Matusz, we desperately needed to use just those two guys, and they came up big. Thank you, Soccer Mom Butt and Phat Albers.
I could load this recap with tons of analysis concerning Matusz' efforts in the stretch vs. windup, his matchups against an all right-handed lineup, or how he and Matt Wieters both learned a lot tonight about getting through a tough AL lineup. And seriously, what was up with the Tigers calling up a right-handed bat just for this game? Against a rookie making his first start? Really?
But I'll leave analysis to those of you much better at it, which is most of you. Tonight, lets us enjoy our glimpse into the future known as Brian Matusz.
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I would really like to vote 'All of the Above'
Seriously, Matusz showed composure and some sweet pitching. Nick hit a ball 442 feet. Cesar was everywhere, all the time, and Ray showed that being asked to pitch long middle relief is not a sign that your manager is disrespecting you.
"I don't like to be here and just thinking about in October I'm going to go on vacation " -- Melmo moaning about being benched when he's hitting .256/.321/.330
Choosing between Brian and Izzy is SO DIFFICULT. Can we just agree this game reeked of Birdland?
I think I’ll go for Izzy though, because Brian’s numbers may not have been as nice if it weren’t for some of Izzy’s web gems. Plus, I figure Brian will win anyhow. They were both crazy tonight. My other vote would have gone to Nicky, but it was definitely between Brian and Cesar.
P.S. The picture of him being pie’d is awesome.
"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.
This
Izzy hitting a HR and driving in 3 off of July’s AL Pitcher of the Month and saving at least two runs for the rookie is plenty Birdland. I fully understand the need to vote for Brian getting a win in his debut, but if Cesar can’t win the vote tonight, when will he?
I had left the room after the final out of the game, and came back in to see Matusz talking to Amber. My first thought was, “They haven’t pied him?”. Two minutes later, Adam Jones did the deed. Good times.
"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson
Wait till Matusz gets to face a lefty or two
He faced 43 lefties at AA and got 39 of them out.
And the Dodgers call Sherrill
“Death to Lefties.”
And even he wasn’t THAT good.
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
I voted Cesar
Brian has a good game and all, and its exciting, but Izturis’s night was way more birdland.
Keep in mind Izzy had a major part in Brian's great night. Not sure if those numbers would look as sweet without Izzy's Gold Glove.
"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.
ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh
major league debuts by top pitching prospects trump all when they go pretty well – at least to me.
that could have been worse if izzy didnt make the plays
if he lets that ball thru, the tigers take the lead which could have easily swung the momentum in their favor. he kept us in that game and let the offense do the rest
by twistedlogic on Aug 5, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
ehhhhhhhhhhhh nothing
dont disrespect me!
by twistedlogic on Aug 5, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
The all-star team AND gold gloves count...
just not for very much.
Jioe Flaacco, Hon!!! "He’s like a live JUGS machine."
Kudos to Brian...
Lets hope Tillman & Berken were paying attention. Is Berken going to stay up here or should he be sent back down to get his groove back?
Brian was amazing tonight, albeit a wild start. Im sure a lot of that was the case of the nerves and we will continue to see impressive starts down the road. The pitching staff that is starting to build certainly is an exciting notion.
I have to say
having 5 rookies win their major league debuts for the first time since the 1888 Chicago White Stockings is something special.
god
i wish i had masn so i could see those pies live
by WestcoastO'sFan on Aug 5, 2009 12:23 AM EDT reply actions
Lucky shirt now 13-0 (more than a quater of O's wins : )
More importantly Brian Matusz was great…to make the jump from AA to the majors mid-way through your first pro season is special. Its crazy to think how much better he will be once he settles in (SO glad Wieters caught this game).
This way far and away the best game from Izzy this year, Offensively or Defensively. His arm looked much stronger in this game than in some previous ones…kudos to you Cesar.
442 ft. from Nick was certainly impressive, as was Izzy’s game…But nothing is more Birdland than a big W in your major league debut. Those only come once in a lifetime for these guys. Besides if you think back a year of two or seven to see the potential from this rotation (Tillman, Matusz, Hernandez, Guthrie, and Berken Bergesen), we should see a lot more MBPs going to good pitching.
When a Dodgers fan chimes in on Izturis
you know he had a Birdland night
Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.
Everyone knows the Holy Trinity
But how about the um….The Four Horsemen? Bergesen, Matusz, Tillman, Hernandez?
Curve?
I only saw a fastball, slider, and change. I heard he has a solid curve, but didn’t see it. Or did I just miss it?
by No More Steroids Please on Aug 5, 2009 4:19 AM EDT reply actions
He threw a couple
It didn’t have much break, but the umpire was giving it to him as a high struck a couple times so it was effective.
Chris
by O'sandNatyBo's on Aug 5, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
his slider is going to be DEADLY
he threw one (insider for a ball) where the entire crowd went almost silent before starting to cheer. the ball moved nearly the entire width of the plate. i was mesmerized.
Thrilled for Matusz but...
Cesar Izturis!!!!!
If not for his defense this game is almost certainly a loss. You couple that with such a nice night at the plate and yeah you gotta go Cesar!
"Just like an a**hole! Everyone has one and it's usually full of *hit!!!!" -Warren Sapp
"People have been listening to Jim Palmer talk since before I was born because he is right. Sit down, shut up and listen to what he has to say."- I said it so bite me.
Vote IZZY
Brian made his debut and he was awesome as all get out, and Cesar saved his ass. He was all over the place last night. It was amazing.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
take notice, mel mora...
DEEDS NOT WORDS, YOU MUTT!
yeesh.
…and i also say, hail cesar!
"If they pitch to you, make them pay."
--Diamond Dave to the Phenom
Bingo
Bases loaded trouble? Izzy to the rescue. 2 on? Izzy saves the day again. Need runs? 2 RBI single do it for ya? How about I add a solo shot. I’ll even give you another single at no extra cost. This is your light hitting 9 hole SS people. Awesome game.
BTW, I would not have guessed Matusz would have a ML win before Tillman. Bravo, young man.
Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.
Izzy would of had to cure cancer last night to win
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on Aug 5, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I voted for Matusz
I didn’t get my break until 8:45, almost six hours into my shift. I heard us score the runs in the top of the 6th, and was sad I didn’t get to hear the new kid pitch. My big-big-boss is giving me tickets to fireworks night, so that’s a game I don’t have to pay for.
I don’t think we’re collapsing epically.
The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST
MMMWWWAAAAAAHAHAHAHA....
(maniacal laugh at the thought of nearly 3 decades worth of frustration coming to an end very soon)……….Go O’s……..please don’t find a way to f**k this up Mr. Angelos……..
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