FORT MYERS, Fla. – Brian Matusz pitched four hitless innings and retired his first 11 batters before a walk in the Baltimore Orioles' 9-4 win over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night.
After a season that saw him sent to the minors and then return as a reliable reliever, the left-hander is trying to earn a rotation spot with the Orioles. He struck out seven.
Chris Dickerson hit a solo home run in the third off Kevin Correia, who allowed two runs — one earned — and four hits in 4 2-3 innings.
Minnesota's Justin Morneau went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in his first game back after playing for Canada in the World Baseball Classic.
Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe remains out for at least several more days with a calf strain. Eduardo Escobar, who has just 59 games of big league experience, started at third and went 0 for 2.
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