Wei-Yin Chen, Manny Machado and Gerardo Parra comment after O's Game 1 win

If left-hander Wei-Yin Chen pitched his last game as an Oriole today, he left on a high note. Most of his postgame interview today with reporters and interpreter Louis Chao was about Chen's four years in Baltimore, and if there will be a fifth season. He is a pending free agent.

We heard from Chen, Manny Machado and Gerardo Parra after the Orioles' 9-2 win over New York in Game 1 of the split doubleheader.

Chen was asked if today was emotional: "I tried not to think about it, but during the first couple of innings, it was OK. But I guess, more or less, it was kind of an emotional day, so I was kind of affected maybe."

Chen on the ovation when he left the mound in the seventh: "Of course I noticed it and I really appreciate all the fans treating me so nice here. This was my last start of the season and I just want to pitch a real good game for all the fans."

Has he thought about pitching for another team?: "I didn't really think about that, but during these four years I really want to thank all my teammates, my manager and everyone on the team. Everybody really helped me a lot, I learned a lot in these four years. "

Is there a chance you will return to the Orioles?: "Yes, I think there is a chance. I would be happy given the chance to come back here, but sometimes as a professional player it is inevitable that you have to change teams and adapt to a new environment. But no matter where I pitch next year, I would do my best to pitch every game."

Would it be hard to leave the Orioles?: "Yes, it is very tough to say goodbye to all the people here. During these four years we played alongside each other, there were ups, there were downs. When I'm down, they've always encouraged me and helped me a lot. It is really tough to say goodbye to everybody here."

Did your four years meet your expectations?: "I would say it was better than my expectations. This is the best league in the world. If I came here, I had no idea what I could do here. These four years I feel happy I proved I could compete in this league."

On coming up short of 200 innings at 191 1/3 innings: "It is a pity that I couldn't get to 200 innings. But, compared to last season, I think overall this is a better season. I improved in a lot of aspects, my control and how I manage the innings. Now I am trying to get better every year."

Machado on Chen and his ovation from the fans: "It was awesome. There is something about Wei-Yin. He grinds and pitches to the last inning. He is a guy that we definitely want in this organization and a guy I love to play behind. He's definitely going to be missed. Hopefully the Orioles sign him back. He is one of our best pitchers and it was good to see him pitch like he did today."

Machado on the uncertainty with the pending free agents: "This is the only team I know and the teammates I know. To see new faces and to see them go is something you don't want. I know how the business is and how the organization is going to be doing stuff. If they're gone or here, they are going to keep doing what they've done here. If they are not here, those are guys to be respected and they would help other teams win."

Machado on his strong finish and increased power this year: "You just keep playing. Every opportunity you get on the field, you have to help your team win whatever way you can. Just because we are out of it doesn't mean anything. Just seeing the ball and hitting it, making good contact. I think I'm a lot stronger. I have an approach and I'm not going out there swinging at pitches I don't want to be swinging at. There is just really nothing to it, I'm becoming a better hitter."

Parra on his four-hit day and the win: "We want to finish at .500. Just play hard today and with two games left, finish strong. That would be good for the team. We know we are not going to playoffs, but we'll feel better if we finish strong."

Parra, would you like to return to the Orioles?: "I like it here. I like the stadium, the fans and the team. But I can't control that. We'll see what happens after the season. I'd like to try and stay here."