For Chen, extra rest could be the best

Yes, it has been awhile since Wei-Yin Chen pitched for the Orioles. Before tonight, his last outing was Aug. 19 in Detroit, when he gave up five runs and seven hits over five innings. That day he gave up five runs in the first inning. Over his last three starts, Chen has pitched to an ERA of 7.47. Good for an airline, not an ERA. Over 15 2/3 innings in those outings, he gave up 25 hits including four homers, and a batting average against of .362. Buck Showalter is clearly aware of this Chen stat: When he pitches on four days rest this season, his ERA is 4.48. When he works with five or more days rest, as he is tonight with seven days rest, he is 5-2 with an ERA of 3.10 over 11 starts. The extra rest just might be best for Chen. Chen has pitched 151 innings over 25 games this year for the Orioles. He threw 164 innings for the Chunichi Dragons in 2009, 188 in 2010 and 164 2/3 last year. Chen is looking for his 13th win tonight and if he gets that, it will be the most by an Oriole since Erik Bedard won 13 in 2007. Chen got his first major league win against the White Sox on April 17. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs in Chicago. Through the first two innings tonight, Chen has allowed one hit and no runs with no walks and two strikeouts, throwing 16 pitches in the first inning and 14 in the second.