Gary

Matthews Jr.

Matthews pinch-hit yesterday, but had to pulled for a pinch-runner. He is back to day-to-day status.

It will be another few games before Matthews will be a candidate to return to the Rangers’ linuep.

Matthews makes a habit of putting up a few strong months with a team and then fades. The Rangers seem happy with him this season however, and as such, he may stick as the team’s fourth outfielder next year.

Matthews shouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the order with a .242 on-base percentage and 22 strikeouts, but the Orioles seem committed to using him. ''After what Gary did for us last year, I think he deserves every chance in the world to be able to do it again,’' Hargrove said. Melvin Mora should be the team’s centerfielder, but he’s too valuable to the Orioles as a utility man.

Matthews went 1 for 4 with a bloop double in the seventh. He is batting .198 vs. right-handers this season, as opposed to .348 against lefties. Last season, he batted .292 against right-handers, but only .239 from the other side of the plate.

''Gary’s a guy who’s easy to write into the lineup,’' manager Buck Showalter said. ''He’s a plus defender.’' As long has Matthews keeps playing good defense with an 843 OPS and a little pop and speed, who are we to question the amazing job Showalter has done this season?

The homer was his 14th, tying his career high from 2001. He had 14 homers in 405 at-bats with the Cubs and Pirates that year. His 14 homers have come in 280 at-bats this season.

Matthews is 24-for-60 with seven homers in his last 14 games.

He was due. Matthews entered with no homers and three RBI in 69 at-bats since making his first All-Star appearance.

Matthews went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two walks. He has slumped some since the All-Star break, but as long as he’s a regular, he has to be kept active in all formats.