Brian Matusz has re-invented himself in a short period of time.
He spent much of 2012 working as a struggling starter. The left-hander had a 5-10 record and a 5.42 ERA in 16 starts before being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on July 1. Matusz worked on a lot with the Tides and when the Orioles recalled him on Aug. 24, they moved the left-hander into the bullpen.
Now, hes become a weapon for manager Buck Showalter. That showed up again Monday night as Matusz helped the Orioles edge the Yankees, 3-2, in Game 2 of their ALDS before a sold-out and rocking Camden Yards.
He came on with two outs in the seventh inning and got Nick Swisher to end the inning. Matusz had to intentionally walk Robinson Cano and threw a wild pitch that put runners on second and third before Swisher flied out. Matusz wound up throwing 1 13 scoreless innings.
Matusz said he now considers himself a relief pitcher. The left-hander now has pitched in both games versus the Yankees. Hes thrown 2 13 scoreless innings, struck out four and walked two (one intentionally) and been very effective throughout. Matusz ended the regular season with a 1.35 ERA in 18 games, stranding all 14 runners
Im just rolling with it and having fun with it, Matusz said. Right now, being in the playoffs, coming out with a big win here, doesnt get much more fun than that.
Matusz said that being a relief pitcher now makes him do some things differently, but it hasnt been any problem. He just comes to the park every day waiting to be ready to pitch if Showalter calls on him.
Im still the same guy, Matusz said. Just getting the work and the experience out there at the end of the regular season and just carrying it over to the post-season. I want to keep this thing rolling. Its nice to be able to have good outings. My focus is on the next game, to be ready when Buck calls on me.
Catcher Matt Wieters said Matusz really hasnt changed much. Hes just in a different situation now, which kind of makes him alter how he does some things, but the catcher likes what hes seen of Matusz in late innings.
He comes out there with the right mind-set, Wieters said. He comes out there ready to go, and sort of laying everything on the line for one inning. He's going out there and using all his stuff. Brian, even when he was starting and not throwing as well against everybody, still pitched well against left-handers.
Thats been the key role for Matusz, shutting down left-handers. Hes now also shutting down some right-handers, using his good control to make good pitches all the time and working with Darren ODay to kind of take over the set-up role from a struggling Pedro Strop.
Strop had been serving as the set-up guy for Jim Johnson for much of the season before having trouble in September. Now, the combination of ODay and Matusz has been working nicely for the Orioles in that spot in the several games last few weeks, especially during these early playoff games.
ODays been tough against right-handed batters like Alex Rodriguez, whom the submariner struck out again in this game. Matusz then comes in often against lefties and takes care of them.
As a reliever, my focus now is just come in, attack the zone, throw strikes and throw my best stuff, Matusz said. Its a lot more fun coming to work every day knowing I have the possibility of getting in.
And finding success.