The Orioles will try to put together their first consecutive wins of the season on Saturday in a battle of left-handers as Bruce Chen faces Randy Johnson in a matinee at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles began their six-game road trip with a win Friday, collecting 18 hits in beating Jaret Wright and the Bombers, 12-5.
Baltimore has 10 of the next 18 games against the Yankees and Red Sox, and is trying to make a statement about its ability to compete in the American League East. The offense was 14-for-92 before Friday's game, but seven Orioles had at least two hits Friday.
Chen will get the responsibility of stopping the Bombers. He entered Spring Training as a darkhorse to win the final spot in the rotation, but he outpitched Matt Riley and Rick Bauer to win the job. Chen did not allow a run in 14 2/3 innings, but he also hasn't pitched since April 1.