This was only Brian Matusz's second Grapefruit League outing of the spring, but the results had to have Orioles fans optimistic.

Matusz, trying to rebound from a poor 2011 season, threw four scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field on Saturday.

Matusz, whose velocity dropped into the mid-80s last season, had radar guns behind home plate consistently showing him in the 90-91 mph range, and his fastball peaked at 94 in the fourth inning.

"It felt like it was coming out good," Matusz said. I wasn't sure exactly how hard it [was], but it felt like it was coming out effortlessly, nice explosion."

He allowed just three hits, striking out four and walking none while mixing in curveballs and changeups against a Phillies lineup that included at least five starters. His best effort might have come in his last inning, when struck out Jim Thome and Hunter Pence swinging after allowing a one-out double to Shane Victorino.

"That's a tough lineup, especially at home in Clearwater," Matusz said. "It felt nice to be able to go out there against a top-notch lineup and be able to attack the zone like that."

Catcher Matt Wieters said Matusz is showing he's "a different guy from last year."