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Chen retires first 19 batters in no-decision

Wei-Yin Chen retired the first 19 batters he faced on Tuesday, with nine strikeouts, but two of the next four reached base and scored, and rather than turning in the third perfect game of 2012, the Orioles rookie settled for a no-decision against the Mariners.

On Sunday, he'll look to forget how his night ended and pitch like he did through the first 6 1/3 when the Orioles take on the Angels at Angel Stadium in the last game before the All-Star break.

"This was probably the first time since I came to the States that I really felt good about my slider," said Chen through interpreter Tim Lin. "And once I established my first-pitch strike, I could easily execute my offspeed pitches."

Chen has impressed halfway through his rookie season for the second-place Orioles. The lefty is 7-4 with a 3.64 ERA in 16 starts, but he hasn't won since June 17, when he threw seven scoreless innings in Atlanta.

While Chen is coming off perhaps the most dominant start of his young career, Brad Mills is making his Angels debut and his first big league appearance since Sept. 13, when he allowed three runs without recording an out while pitching for the Blue Jays.

In 14 appearances -- nine starts -- since debuting in 2009, Mills has given up 46 runs in 48 1/3 innings for an 8.57 ERA. Despite Mills' struggles in the Majors, manager Mike Scioscia opted for the lefty to fill in for injured Dan Haren.

Mills has gone 3-3 with a 4.47 ERA at Triple-A Salt Lake in nine starts this season.

"I think Brad's a guy that has a little bit of experience," Scioscia said. "I think he is, right now, the best candidate we have to start on Sunday."

Angels: Trumbo not worried about Derby history
Mark Trumbo, who won the 2009 Texas League Home Run Derby, will be one of four American League batters partaking in the State Farm Home Run Derby in Kansas City, and he's not worried about his swing being negatively affected.

Thirty out of 40 Derby participants from 2007-11 saw declines in their homers-per-at-bat totals after the break, but Trumbo doesn't play to be the 31st.

"I'm a guy that cuts it loose most of the time anyway, so my goal is always to put myself in a position to drive the ball," Trumbo said. "So it's not a huge adjustment for me. I mess around every once in a while and try to launch balls. It's nothing that's terribly out of the ordinary for me."

Orioles: Mahoney makes debut
Joe Mahoney went hitless in his Major League debut on Saturday night, batting eighth and starting at first base for the Orioles.

Mahoney went 0-for-3 and left one batter on base while Baltimore was shut out, 3-0.

In 84 games with Triple-A Norfolk, Mahoney hit .257 with 14 doubles, five home runs and 38 RBIs.

"I think he understands that he'll probably head back after the [All-Star] break, but let him get a taste of it before he goes back," manager Buck Showalter said. "With the way we've had some guys banged up, I hope he presents himself well tonight."

Worth noting
• Mills hasn't been great in 14 career appearances against Major League competition, but he is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA and nine strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings pitched against Baltimore.

• Chen was sharp against the Angels in his third career start. He gave up just one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings on the road.

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