Wednesday Morning Rundown - The Brian Matusz Edition

Tuesday night belonged to Roar from 34's favorite pitching prospect, Brian Matusz, who went five innings and gave up one earned run for the win as the O's topped the Tigers 8-2. Even better, he managed to continue his post-game interview with Amber Theoharis while bathed in shaving cream and hardly missed a beat. Talk about poise.

The best headline from the game appeared in the Grand Rapids Press: Jarrod Washburn 'felt like a rookie' -- and got schooled by one -- in Tigers' loss to the Orioles. (ZKnower from Camden Chat agrees.)

The best lead (or lede, for traditionalists) came from the home town scribes. Dan Connolly of The Sun: "In this, the Orioles' decade of darkness, the 2009 season has been brightened intermittently with the belief that hope is on the horizon."

The Tiger blogs weren't as interested in Matusz, who warranted, at best, a brief mention on those sites. Instead, the focus was on Jarrod Washburn and his less-successful debut. Washburn is now 7-7 in 17 career starts against the Birds with a 4.47 ERA.

[More after the jump, including Matusz's spot with the B52s.]



Bless You Boys: "Washburn's debut a washout."

Roar of the Tigers: "Now presenting Jarrod Washburn."

Mack Avenue Tigers: "Washburn's Tigers debut could use a do-over."

The B-52s

The Brim Reaper just left town, and the grave is still warm; nevertheless, that didn't stop Matusz from sporting George Sherrill's old number on the mound Tuesday night.

After an extended relief role, 52 has moved into a starting slot. (See the history of Baltimore's 52s - the B-52s for short - at NumerOlogy.)

From B.J. Ryan to George Sherrill to Brian Matusz (click on photos for links to the originals).