Brian Matusz was demoted to the minors last week after posting an 8.77 ERA over his first six starts. The young left-hander had his first start back at Triple-A Norfolk last night and according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, it didn’t go so well.
Matusz allowed four runs on seven hits (including two home runs) over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Triple-A Charlotte. He threw 51 out of 87 pitches for strikes while striking out three, walking two and throwing a wild pitch.
Matusz, who began the year on the disabled list with an intercostal strain, allowed nine home runs over just 25 2/3 innings before being sent to the minor leagues last week. It’s easy to say there was some bad luck involved there, but when you consider that the velocity on his fastball is down three MPH from last season, opposing batters are clearly having no problem squaring him up right now.
