Chen left with more challenges against left-handed hitters (O's lose 6-1)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 03, 2014, 11:54am

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Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen has allowed three runs in five innings this afternoon at Target Field. He just surrendered an RBI single to Twins first baseman Joe Mauer in the fifth and sits at 101 pitches as the game moves into the sixth.

Why is Mauer's hit noteworthy? Because left-handers began the day batting .457 against Chen, compared to .271 by right-handers.

It's not supposed to work that way.

Trevor Plouffe gave the Twins a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a run-scoring double to center field. Brian Dozier broke a 1-1 tie in the third with a home run to left field.

Both right-handed hitters. Two guys willing to ignore the stats.

The Orioles have committed two errors today on throws by shortstop J.J. Hardy and third baseman Manny Machado. Dozier reached on an infield hit in the fifth and raced to second base on Machado's miscue, though a better throw from first baseman Steve Pearce would have gotten him.

The Orioles are 2-7 when they commit an error this season.

Hardy's RBI single scored Adam Jones in the second inning.

Update: Chen threw 108 pitches in five-plus innings. He's gone five innings in three of his six starts, and 5 2/3 innings in another.

Mauer hit a three-run homer off Brad Brach in the seventh, only his second of the season. He was Mauer with power today.

Nick Markakis is 2-for-4 and has his eighth multi-hit game in his last 15 games.