Chen still chugging along after sputtering in second inning (O's lose 3-0)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In five innings tonight, Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen has thrown 14, 36, 14, 16 and nine pitches. I'll save you from the task of removing your shoes to count. This isn't the security line at BWI Airport. That's 89 pitches in five scoreless frames against the Rays, whose offense already has packed up for the winter. The Rays didn't score in 10 innings last night and they can't break through against Chen, who loaded the bases in the second on a single and two walks. Sean Rodriguez flied out to kill the rally. Chen has allowed three hits, walked two, struck out one and thrown a wild pitch. Once in danger of leaving the game early, he's retired nine of the last 10 batters. Usually, Brad Brach would back up Chen as the long reliever, but he pitched again last night and may not be available. So far, no one has warmed in the Orioles bullpen. Andrew Miller did his usual exercise where he simulates his delivery while holding a towel. Still haven't seen him try it in a game. The Orioles have six hits off Rays starter Alex Cobb in six innings. They're also unable to push across a run, with right fielder Wil Myers making a diving catch of Chris Davis' sinking liner to end the sixth and strand Adam Jones. Jones has singled twice and walked. David Lough singled in the first and was picked off. Jones naturally followed with a single. At that point, Lough had collected five hits in his last 10 at-bats and was 9-for-26 (.346) this month. Update: Chen struck out Logan Forsythe to end the sixth, strand two runners and keep the game scoreless. Chen allowed four hits in six innings, with three walks, three strikeouts and a wild pitch. He threw 107 pitches, 64 for strikes. Ryan Webb is making his first appearance with the Orioles since July 31. Update II: The Rays loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth and scored three runs to take a 3-0 lead. Evan Longoria and Wil Myers had back-to-back groundball singles off Webb and Evan Meek walked James Loney. Yunel Escobar followed with a ground ball that squirted past Jonathan Schoop to score Longoria. Escobar was credited with a hit for some unknown reason. Logan Forsythe grounded into a force, but Ryan Hanigan produced a two-run single to give Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. Joe Saunders got a double play to end the inning. Update III: The Orioles lose to the Rays 3-0, but reduce their magic number to 14. The Orioles have been shut out 10 times this season. They're 82-58 overall and 33-21 vs. the American League East.