Chen loses shutout but O's win game, 5-2

Wei-Yin Chen came within a strike of posting seven scoreless innings against the Yankees, but Curtis Granderson hit a two-run homer on an 0-2 pitch to reduce the Orioles' lead to 4-2. Granderson had 13 home runs this season - 10 at Yankees Stadium and three at Camden Yards. Xavier Avery timed his leap and almost made the catch. He kept looking back at a fan who appeared to hit his glove. Richie Garcia isn't here, but I know what you're thinking. Chen has allowed two runs and four hits, walked two and struck out four over seven innings. He's thrown 105 pitches, 65 for strikes. Pedro Strop was warming in the bullpen in the sixth. Chen has thrown 107, 100, 103 and 105 pitches in his last four starts. If he does nothing else tonight, he'll post the rotation's third quality start in the last 10 games. The Orioles chased CC Sabathia after six innings. He gave up another run in the sixth on J.J. Hardy's infield hit with the bases loaded and two outs. The ball was hit directly to second baseman Robinson Cano, who mishandled it before making an alley-oop pass to Derek Jeter covering the bag. Robert Andino slid in safely, and many of us in the press box anticipated an error or a fielder's choice, not an RBI single. The Orioles increased their lead to 5-2 in the seventh on Chris Stewart's second passed ball after Adam Jones singled, stole second and moved to third on Matt Wieters' grounder. Tonight's attendance: 24,055 Update: Pedro Strop walked the first two batters he faced in the eighth, but he got Nick Swisher to hit into a force and fielded Robinson Cano's comebacker to start a 1-6-3 double play. Jim Johnson converted his 12th save in 12 chances, and his 20th in a row dating back to last August. Chen has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of seven starts this year. The Orioles have allowed two runs or fewer in four of their last five games against the Yankees. Start spreading the news.