Orioles T-shirt Thursday giveaway features Wei-Yin Chen T-shirt printed in Mandarin Chinese

On July 9, the Orioles will host Wei-Yin Chen T-Shirt Thursday. The first 10,000 fans 15 and over attending the Orioles' game against the Kansas City Royals will receive a T-shirt featuring Orioles on the front and Chen's name on the back, both written in Mandarin Chinese. Chen, a native of Taiwan, is in his first season with the Orioles after spending four seasons with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan Central League. Among qualifying rookie pitchers, Chen ranks among the leaders in: games started (T-1st, 22); ERA (2nd, 3.46); wins (2nd, 10); innings pitched (2nd, 135.1); opponents' average (2nd, .231) and strikeouts (3rd, 109). He struck out 12 batters over 5.2 innings on July 29 against the A's, setting a major league record for most strikeouts in a game by a Taiwanese-born pitcher and becoming the first Orioles pitcher to strike out 10 or more batters in fewer than six innings. Chen is scheduled to start Thursday, subject to change. Due to limited availability, fans interested in receiving a T-shirt are strongly advised to arrive as close to 5:00 p.m. as possible for the opening of the Eutaw Street Gates (Gates A & H). Other ballpark gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-848-BIRD or by visiting www.orioles.com.