Buck Showalter had a message for Kevin Gausman as he departed Boston on his way to his second rehab start at Frederick.
"Don’t be afraid to get some outs," he said.
Showalter hoped Brian Matusz got the message. He would also like to see his pitchers have stronger performances on rehab outings, and Friday night, Gausman’s line was improved over his first one.
He pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, one of them unearned on four hits, walking one and striking out eight against Lynchburg.
The original plan was for Gausman to pitch five and Matusz three.
While Gausman didn’t live up to his innings, Matusz did. He gave up a home run in his first inning, then threw two scoreless innings, allowing another hit, striking out three without walking a batter.
Matusz gave up six runs on seven hits in his previous outing for Bowie.
Gausman, who has been on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder, could get another start on Wednesday when the Keys host Wilmington if the Orioles feel he needs more time.
The Orioles had hoped Matusz, who is on the DL with a lower back injury, would have returned by now, but decided he needed additional rehab work after his initial appearances at Bowie last week.
