Wei-Yin Chen, Orioles sweep Yankees in doubleheader for shot at .500 record
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Version 0 of 1. BALTIMORE — Manny Machado homered in both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader, lefty Wei-Yin Chen excelled in what could be his last start with the club and the Orioles kept alive their hopes of finishing the season at .500 by sweeping the New York Yankees, 9-2 and 4-3. The Orioles (80-81) must win Sunday’s season finale to avoid their first losing season since 2011, Buck Showalter’s first full year as manager. “We’re never putting our head down. Let’s move on to finishing .500,” said outfielder Gerardo Parra, who had six hits across Saturday’s two games. “We know we’re not going to the playoffs. When the guys finish strong, we feel better.” In the second game, starter Ubaldo Jimenez picked up his third straight quality start, allowing three runs in six innings in a no-decision. A bit of small ball won the game from there. Chen, a pending free agent this winter after four seasons with the Orioles, walked off the mound in the opener with two runners on and no outs in the seventh to a standing ovation. “Of course, I noticed that. I really appreciate all the fans treating me so nice here,” Chen, a Taiwanese native, said through an interpreter. “This is my last start of the season, so I just want to pitch a real good game for all the fans.” Added Chen: “It’s very tough to say goodbye to all the people here because during these four years we played alongside each other. There were ups. There were downs. And when I’m down, they always encouraged me. They helped me a lot. So I think it’s really tough to say goodbye to everybody here.” — Baltimore Sun |