PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla — Brian Matusz was hoping for an easy start in his spring debut.
Even though the Baltimore Orioles left-hander struck out the side in the first inning in Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the third at-bat had a midseason feel.
Against Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, Matusz threw pitch-after-pitch as Longoria kept fouling them off, breaking two bats in the process.
Finally on the 13th pitch, Longoria struck out.
Matusz was relieved. So was his catcher, Craig Tatum, working with him for the first time.
Longoria swore to Tatum that he wasn’t aiming to repeatedly foul off his fastballs and changeups. It was just Longoria’s first at-bat of spring training. After breaking the second bat, the two-time All-Star had to borrow a bat from teammate Pat Burrell, delighting Matusz, but annoying Longoria.
“I’m trying to put it in play. I’m really trying to put it in play,” Longoria told Tatum.
In the regular season, Matusz said he would have mixed in a breaking ball or two.
“I probably would have walked him earlier in the at-bat,” Matusz said.
A year ago, Matusz came to spring training without having thrown a professional pitch. He was very impressive in spring training, and Orioles manager Dave Trembley raved about him.
“He’s got a toolbox and he knows how to use the tools that are in that toolbox,” Trembley said.
Trembley promised that Matusz would spend his entire initial professional season in the minor leagues. After he started his career with an 11-2 record and a 1.91 ERA, that, along with a series of injuries to the Orioles starters convinced Baltimore management that he was ready for the big leagues.
He did nothing to prove them wrong. In eight games with the Orioles, Matusz was 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 44 2-3 innings.
Now, firmly in Baltimore’s starting rotation, the 23-year-old began his season by throwing 36 pitches — 28 of them strikes. Thirteen of the pitches were to Longoria.
“Neither guy gave in. Matusz kept throwing strikes,” Trembley said. “That’s what he does. He’s real good at it.”
Justifiably proud of himself, Matusz didn’t tire of explaining his strategy, but knows he’s likely to face Longoria several times during the regular season. With balls flying out of the ballpark on a windy day, Matusz was determined. No home runs to Longoria.
“That was tough. I was trying to pound him in a little bit. I didn’t want to leave anything out over the plate where he could put the ball to right field and let the wind take care of it,” Matusz said. “It was a long at-bat, but it was a good challenge.”
Now, in his second season, Matusz said that the routine is now familiar to him.
“It’s only different in that I have experience, but for me — same thing. I have to work hard. Get on a good routine, throw strikes, and have fun with it,” Matusz said.
“On the field it’s nothing different. It’s just a little more opportunity for me, and I’m trying to take advantage of every one.”
For Trembley, having Matusz means less for the manager to worry about.
“He’s special. I think that just puts it in perspective,” Trembley said. “He’s special.”
Baseball
Related Photos
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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz throws to a Cleveland Indians batter during the first inning of a game in Baltimore Aug. 30, 2009. A year ago, Matusz came to spring training without having thrown a professional pitch. On Thursday, the Orioles left-hander struck out the side in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. Associted Press
O’s Matusz has successful first spring outing
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