O's Fall in Pitchers Duel 2-1. - N51_rob's Blog

N51_rob's Blog

O's Fall in Pitchers Duel 2-1.

Posted on April 17, 2012 at 02:46 AM.

Baltimore, MD Wei-Yin Chen was the real deal in his MLB debut. Chen limited the Yankee line-up to 1 run on 7 hits over 6 innings yet it wouldn;t be enough as the long ball continues to plague the O's and they lose again to the Yankees 2-1.

In his first start Chen managed to go three up, three down in the first, but the Yankees made him throw 20 pitches to do it. Chen would settle down allow only 1 hit in innings 2 and 3. With Chen pitching well, Baltimore would get to Freddy Garcia early in the 2nd inning. Mark Reynolds got things going with a sharp single, 1B Chris Davis would follow that with a double into the gap to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs. 2B Robert Andino would do his job and get Reynolds in with a RBI SAC fly that very nearly got out of the park. Baltimore took the 1-0 lead, but could do no more as Davis was stranded at 2nd.

Chen got into a some quick trouble in the 4th. With one out A-Rod would double, then score on a Robinson Cano RBI single. The inning ended after that when Granderson hit into an inning ending double play. As the Orioles bats started to cool, the Yankees began to put pressure on an opposing pitcher as only they can. Chen though was up to the challenge. In the 5th with runners at 1st and 2nd two outs, Chen got Derek Jeter to bounce out to 3rd. In the 6th, A-Rod and Cano singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Chen struck out Granderson, got Texeria to hit a chopper to the pitcher for the second out. With runners at 2nd and 3rd with two outs in the 6th Chen got Swisher to line out to end the innings.

Kevin Gregg came on in relief of Chen and pitched two scoreless innings the 7th and 8th. Hoping to save his pen for extra innings and knowing that Arrieta was throwing tomorrow Manager Buck Showalter left Gregg in for a 3rd inning. It would prove a costly error, as in the 9th Mark Texeria hit a solo home run that would be the difference in the game. With the lead, New York would send in Mariano Rivera to shut the door and he would with a thee up, three down 9th.

The Series ends tomorrow with Jake Arrieta (0-0 1.50) going against CC Sabathia (1-0 0.00). It is also the last game of Baltimore's 6 game season opening homestand. Following an off day Thursday Baltimore will play 10 straight games away from Camden Yards. Baltimore would like to end the series with a win.

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