I should be starting to not

ROME -- Serena Williams isnt committing to playing in the Italian Open yet as she waits to see how her injured left thigh feels. The top-ranked Williams withdrew before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open last week. "Im taking it a day at a time. Well see as the week goes on. I have the rest of the day off and Ill see how I feel tomorrow," Williams said Monday. "I hit some balls today a little bit so Im going to see later tonight how it feels." In Madrid, Williams had her thigh heavily bandaged and said the injury occurred during a first-round victory over Belinda Bencic. She dismissed conjecture of pulling out for precautionary reasons. "I dont do anything out of precaution anymore. You live once and I feel like anything can happen tomorrow," Williams said. "I just physically couldnt play. I was in a lot of pain and just wasnt able to continue. When I play I want to give 100 per cent. "I want to go out there and I want to give the fans everything that they deserve and everything that they come to see," Williams added. "And I just wasnt going to even come close to being there." Williams is the defending champion at the Foro Italico, and also won the title in 2002. Shell also be the defending champion when the French Open starts in two weeks. Compared to earlier in her career, Williams said she really enjoys the red clay of Rome and Paris now. "I love the challenge of having to be more consistent and having to be that much better," she said. Williams is slated to open against either Romina Oprandi of Switzerland or Andrea Petkovic of Germany. Shes one of eight Americans in the draw -- quite a large showing compared to recent years. "Its good timing. Im nearing the end of my career, I guess -- who knows when its going to end, I love playing -- and people get inspired by different Americans maybe, and maybe start to play now," Williams said. "I love seeing all the Americans around." The other Americans in Rome are Varvara Lepchenko, Sloane Stephens, Christina McHale, Lauren Davis, Madison Keys, Alison Riske and Serenas older sister Venus Williams. At 32, Serena Williams marveled at the retirement announcement last week by former No. 1 Dinara Safina, who is 28. "Shes a lot younger than me," Serena said. "I just enjoy it right now. I enjoy my practice and Im starting to look in the mirror like, Wow. Whats wrong with me? I should be starting to not enjoy it so much. But the older I get the more I enjoy it. Its kind of weird but Im going to take it as it is." SEATTLE -- Wei-Yin Chen threw one of his finest games in the major leagues, allowing just five hits over eight innings in Baltimores 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. What everyone wanted to talk about, however, was his defence. Chen (11-3), who has won his past four starts, set the tone in the first inning when he bounded off the mound, gathered a slow roller and glove-flipped the ball to the plate to prevent a run. "That was a little bit of a momentum change there," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Then he showed how to get people out after that." Delmon Young hit a three-run homer in the Orioles four-run third inning and that was all Chen needed as he scattered five singles, walked one and struck out three, matching his career high for innings pitched. 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 ODay finished with a routine ninth inning. It was Baltimores eighth shutout. The Mariners have been shut out 12 times, tying Tampa Bay for the most in the American League. Chens only hint of trouble came in the first. James Jones walked and stole second, the rookies 20th of the season. After a groundout, Robinson Cano dribbled a ball in front of the plate. Chen scooped and flipped it with his glove to catcher Caleb Joseph, who tagged Jones as he slid in head first. "They actually practice that play in spring but its one of those things people think youre killing time with pitchers," Showalter said. "But it came into play today." 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 autentic call was confirmed. "I was going on contact and his foot was there in the way," Jones said. "I didnt understand the rules, if I could run through him or I didnt know what to do but he was definitely in front of that plate." Joseph said hes "pretty clear on the rules." "You try catch it and make the tag," he said. "The last thing in my mind is where you are position-wise. But thats an important alură because of the new rules. We got it rightt tonight.dddddddddddd We got it wrong about a month or so ago so it feels good to get it right this time." McClendon still isnt so sure. "I cant go out and argue after the decisions been made," he said. "Im just a little puzzled. He didnt have the ball, his foot was in front of the plate, he caught the ball and he dropped (his knee). To me, thats blocking the plate." 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. 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 Lees 38, set in June 2010. Iwakuma has 33 strikeouts against no walks in those five starts. The Orioles began their four-run third with singles by John Flaherty, 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. Young said he wasnt thinking home run "just something to get us the runner in from third." 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. NOTES: Beyond the Mariners acquisition of DH Kendrys Morales from the Twins before the game, the club also added two players from Triple-A Tacoma to the roster. Jesus Montero was called up for a second stint and started at DH. Chris Taylor started at short in his first major league game and singled in the fifth. When he called his parents in Virginia Beach to tell them the news, Taylor said, "it was tough to hold it together. That moment is something youre never going to forget. Talking to them on the phone, telling them the news, hearing their voices, how excited they were, its just an indescribable feeling." To make room, the club sent RHP Taijuan Walker back to Tacoma and placed INF Willie Bloomquist (right knee contusion) on the 15-day DL. . The Orioles acquired INF Jimmy Paredes from Kansas City for cash considerations. He will report to the minors. ' ' '