Chen struck out ten in seven innings as Richmond rolled to a 5-0 win over the Rochester Red Wings. With the new numbers came a season total of 182 K's, tying a career high. Bruce's stellar outing was accented by Mark Wohlers working a scoreless eighth. Wohlers, who has struggled since his demotion, struck out the side, hanging onto Chen's shutout. Richmond preserved the masterpiece in a scoreless ninth and gave Bruce his win.
"I was getting more comfortable later in the game," said Chen afterwards. "No matter how you get it, a win always feels great. Tonight's victory was very important for me. I feel more confident, and I think my teammates feel more comfortable with me pitching out there."
The game further proved to drive home the point that is fast becoming common knowledge: Bruce Chen is no fluke. Perhaps R- Braves pitching coach Bill Fischer, who is not known to give praise lightly, put it best. After Monday's triumph, he simply had three words to describe the young lefty:
"He's for real."
