|
Taiwan¡¦s Chen takes solid win against
Oakland A¡¦s
Staff writer, with CNA, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
Chen Wei-Yin of the Baltimore
Orioles pitches during a game against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park in
Baltimore, Maryland, on Saturday.
Photo: AFP
Taiwanese left-handed starter Chen Wei-yin
(³¯°¶®ï) of the Baltimore Orioles allowed one run on six hits, striking out four
and walking two in seven strong innings in Saturday¡¦s 10-1 win against the
Oakland Athletics in Baltimore.
Chen had a rocky start in the first inning, walking two and allowing one hit,
but had little trouble after that. He blanked the Atlantics until Jonny Gomes
hit a solo homer in the sixth.
The 26-year-old relied on a combination of changeup, and two and four-seam
fastballs, with four-seams accounting for 38 percent of his throws on Saturday.
He threw 107 pitches, 66 for strikes, with an ERA down to 2.22.
Prior to the game, analysts said Chen should watch out for the Cuban outfielder
Yoenis Cespedes of the Atlantics, saying that Cespedes had a batting average of
37.5 percent against the left-handed pitcher.
However, Chen proved his strength when he struck out Cespedes at the top of the
first inning with a combination of changeup, slider and two-seam fastball.
Orioles Manager Buck Showalter told reporters after the game that he had full
confidence in Chen. Showalter said he was not worried about Chen¡¦s performance
in the first innings and that he was very proud of the pitcher.
Fans¡¦ respect for Chen soared when he took a shot below the belt in the fourth
inning, but still managed to throw out the runner at first base.
Many fans turned out to cheer for Chen despite the cold and rainy weather, some
even bringing blankets with them. A Taiwanese couple drove three hours from New
York to attend the game. They said they supported both Wang Chien-ming (¤ý«Ø¥Á) and
Chen, and that the recent disclosure of Wang having been in an extramarital
affair had not affected their support for him.
Meanwhile, Wang threw four strong innings in his first rehabilitation start this
year with the minor league Potomac Nationals and ended the game with a 4-3 win
over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
His fastball reached 148kph and he threw a total of 49 pitches in the game and
10 in the bullpen.
Wang said after the game that he felt good about his condition and would
gradually throw more pitches. He has not yet scheduled another rehab game.
|
