Late in July, Orioles left-hander Bruce Chen strung together three solid outings out of the bullpen.
With those appearances, Chen earned a spot-start last Sunday, when he filled in for Kris Benson with a 5.1-inning appearance. Chen?s start helped preserve the bullpen in an 8-7 win.
While his start didn?t cement a permanent role in the rotation, a lack of healthy arms will allow the 29-year-old journeyman at least one more start.
“It looks like he?s going to start,” said Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo, after keeping Chen in the bullpen for the Seattle series in case the team needed a long reliever.
After quieting the potent bats in the lineup of the defending World Series champion White Sox, Chen will face the tough task of facing the Yankees? powerhouse offense.
Heading into Thursday?s series finale with Toronto, the Yankees were tied for the American League East lead. The club?s already dangerous lineup was improved this week, when the Yankees acquired left-handed slugger Bobby Abreu from Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Chen, who was rumored to be on the move at various points throughout the first half of the season, has persevered. He said he?s glad he is still with the Orioles, despite a diminished role from last season.
“I didn?t want to go or anything. I really like it here,” Chen said from the clubhouse before Wednesday?s game. “This is a team that gave me a great opportunity, and they gave me a chance to start last year the whole time. And they gave me a great contract, so there?s no reason why I would want to leave.”
After he made 32 starts in 2005, Chen struggled to open the 2006 season. He was pushed to the bullpen for roughly two months until this week?s start. This season, he is 0-6 with a 7.07 ERA in 25 games (including 11 starts).
He has made the point that, despite his prior demotion, he doesn?t want to take the easy way out of town.
“I want to work hard and make sure I can finish strong,” Chen said.
In his three outings prior to Sunday?s start, Chen had tossed four innings, allowing just one hit and one run.
Chen?s journey
» After coming up with the Braves organization as a top prospect, Chen has played for Philadelphia, the New York Mets, Cincinnati, Montreal, Boston and Houston before coming to the Orioles in 2004.
» Chen is 35-36 in his career with a 4.55 ERA heading into tonight?s start against Yankees? left-hander Randy Johnson, who has 274 career victories.
» Chen put himself back on the map wiith three perfect innings in relief of Benson on July 19 against Oakland.
