Schoop, Pearce, Chen and Clevenger comment after O's win over Houston

A lot of Orioles came through tonight in a 4-3 win over Houston. That included 22-year-old rookie second baseman Jonathan Schoop. His two-out single in the seventh broke a 2-2 tie and was a clutch hit for the Orioles.

"Just was looking for a pitch I could hit to put us on top," Schoop said. "Think it was a fastball or a cutter. I was ready for it and drove it up the middle.

"I am trying to be more relaxed if I can and don't try to do too much. Go up there, look for your pitch and hit it."

Schoop has now knocked in a run for three consecutive games, his longest stretch of the season. He is 8-for-24 (.333) when batting with runners in scoring position.

He said with each day he's feeling more comfortable on both offense and defense at the big league level.

"I do. I've got a month in already. My teammates really help me alot. Bobby Dickerson and Buck too. My teammates got me through some bad and good things," he said.

Steve Pearce delivered another big swing for the Orioles with a third-inning homer. The career reserve has started nine straight games with Chris Davis on the disabled list.

"It's definitely easier," Pearce said of playing every day. "I've got a set routine. You get to follow that every day, so it's been a lot easier. Getting the opportunity you find a comfort zone. Feeling comfortable at the plate.

"It's been great. Win some ballgames and winning in great fashion too, so it's just been fun for myself and the team."

When Davis comes back, somebody will have to go. After batting .300 with two doubles, three homers and six RBIs in nine games, Pearce may get to stay this time.

"I think they know what I can do. Hopefully I can stay around for a little longer this time," he said.

Wei-Yin Chen improved to 4-2 by pitching seven innings. He gave up five hits and two runs, improving his ERA on the year to 3.95.

"I was able to help the team get a win, so I was happy about it," Chen said through his interpreter. "I was able to keep the ball down. We had a meeting before the game and that was the point I tried to focus on."

After pitching to an ERA of 6.75 in his first two starts, Chen is 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA over his last five starts.

"I didn't really think about it," Chen said of getting on a roll on the mound. "The first two outings, I allowed more runs, so the only goal I wanted to achieve was to allow as few runs as possible."

Catcher Steve Clevenger had a great view of each of Chen's 101 pitches tonight.

"He was throwing all his pitches for strikes," Clevenger said. "When he needed a putaway pitch, he got it. His command of both sides of the plate, like I said, he had everything today."