Mariners shut out by Wie-Yen Chen in loss to Orioles
Seattle blanked for 12th time this season
SEATTLE — Wie-Yen Chen allowed five hits over eight innings and Delmon Young hit a three-run homer to give the Baltimore Orioles a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.
Chen (11-3), who has won his past four starts, scattered five singles, walked one and struck out three. His 11 wins ties him for third-most in American League. On the road, Chen is 6-1 with a 3.94 ERA in nine starts.
Darren O’Day finished with a routine ninth inning.
It was Baltimore’s eighth shutout. The Mariners have been shut out 12 times, tying Tampa Bay for the most in the American League.
The Orioles began their four-run third with singles by John Flaherty, Caleb Joseph and Nick Markakis.
Markakis’ single drove in one run and on the next pitch Young hit his fourth homer. It was the Orioles’ 123rd of the season, tying Toronto for the most in the majors.
Hisashi Iwakuma (8-5), who had won his previous three decisions, lost for the first time since June 25. He went seven innings, allowing four runs and seven hits. He struck out five without a walk.
Chen’s only hint of trouble came in the first inning. James Jones walked then stole second, the rookie’s 20 of the season.
After a groundout, Robinson Cano dribbled a ball in front of the plate. Chen flipped it with his glove to catcher Joseph, who tagged Jones as he slid in head first.
Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon protested the call but it was crew chief Fieldin Culbreth who initiated a TV replay review to determine if Joseph illegally blocked the plate.
After a review of 3:45, the original call was confirmed.
Iwakuma, who had just two three-ball counts, has not walked a batter in a club-record five straight starts, a span of 35 2-3 innings. He is second in club history in walk-less innings behind Cliff Lee’s 38, set in June 2010.
Iwakuma has 33 strikeouts against no walks in those five starts.
Dustin Ackley of the Mariners had a single in the second to give him a seven-game hitting streak and push his July average to .373.