Chen much more impressive in exhibition debut

SARASOTA, Fla. - The last time we saw Wei-Yin Chen, he was throwing 31 pitches in two-thirds of an inning in an intrasquad game. He allowed one run and two hits, walked one and struck out one. Fast-forward to today's exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins. Chen was much more effective, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings and striking out the side in the second. Chen's fastball topped out at 91 mph, but he fanned Brian Dinkelman and Sean Burroughs with 89 mph heaters. The only baserunner against Chen came when Aaron Bates singled into left-center field leading off the top of the second. Armando Galarraga has replaced Chen in the top of the third. The Orioles have four hits in two innings against Twins starter Carl Pavano, and they grabbed a 1-0 lead on Robert Andino's two-out single in the second. Endy Chavez doubled to right field leading off the bottom of the first, but he was stranded. Mark Reynolds singled to left with one out in the second and eventually scored on Andino's line drive to left. Reynolds stole second as catcher Drew Butera's throw nailed Pavano in the back. Butera is Pavano's personal catcher. Now it's really personal. Wilson Betemit followed with a walk, Nolan Reimold struck out and Robert Andino broke the scoreless tie. Chavez reached on an infield hit, making him 2-for-2 in two innings.