Matusz strikes out 9, outduels Galarraga; Orioles win 2-1, deal Tigers 6h straight defeat

Matusz fans 9, Orioles hand Tigers 6th loss in row

BALTIMORE — Brian Matusz struck out a career-high nine to win his sixth consecutive decision, Nick Markakis homered and the Baltimore Orioles beat Detroit 2-1 Saturday night, handing the Tigers their sixth straight loss.

Matusz (10-12) allowed a run on two hits and a walk in six innings. The left-hander is 6-0 in his last eight starts.

The Orioles have won four straight and improved to 34-22 since Buck Showalter took over as manager Aug. 2.

Brandon Inge homered for the Tigers, who must win Sunday’s season finale to avoid finishing under .500.

Armando Galarraga (4-9), who lost a fourth straight decision, yielded two runs on three hits over eight innings. He walked one and struck out seven in his second career complete game.

After Inge’s second-inning homer, the Tigers failed to advance a runner to second base.

Michael Gonzalez worked the seventh, Jim Johnson pitched the eighth and Koji Uehara got the final three outs for his 13th save.

With a victory Sunday, the Orioles will earn a four-game home sweep of the Tigers for the first time since April 17-20, 1992.

Inge put the Tigers ahead in the second with his 12th homer.

Galarraga retired the first 10 Orioles in order before Markakis homered to right, tying the game in the fourth.

Matt Wieters’ sacrifice fly gave Baltimore the lead in the fifth. Felix Pie led off with a double, moved to third on Ty Wigginton’s groundout and scored when Wieters hit a deep drive that died on the warning track in center.

NOTES: Galarraga’s previous complete game came June 2, when he nearly pitched a perfect game against Cleveland. … Orioles 2B Brian Roberts missed his fifth straight game with headaches, and Showalter said Roberts would probably not play in Sunday’s game. … 1B/DH Luke Scott was chosen Most Valuable Oriole in a media vote. … Since Sept. 2, the Tigers have 34 homers in 28 games.