The Orioles (61-46) are now locked in a two-way tie with the Toronto Blue Jays (62-47) for first place in the AL East as they prepare to begin the imminent ten-game road swing.
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“I’m trying to get everybody a day (off) on this trip”, manager Buck Showalter said.
The Nationals topped the Giants 5-1 to drop San Francisco to 5-14 since the All-Star break, the worst record in the majors.
After splitting a four-game set at Camden Yards in late April, the Orioles own a commanding 20-11 advantage over Chicago since the start of the 2012 season.
The series could be interesting in terms of power.
The Chicago White Sox broke a tie with runs in the seventh and eighth innings and made them stand up in a 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
In the end, his big innings, and an RBI single that nearly wasn’t, were just enough for the Sox during a 4-2 victory over the Orioles before a crowd of 28,491 at U.S.
CHICAGO (AP) – Manny Machado became the second player in major league history to homer in the first, second and third innings, driving in a career-high seven runs in a 10-2 rout of James Shields and the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Chicago is 10 games behind AL Central leader Cleveland and seven games back in the wild card race.
“I think the umpire got blocked out a little bit by Machado”, White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton said.
The rest of the rotation going forward – Yovani Gallardo, Kevin Gausman and Wade Miley – all present some challenges, but are capable of keeping up the improvement the Orioles need sustained. He is winless in six starts since June 29.
In Kansas City, the Royals lost a narrow one against the Toronto Blue Jays as the visitors prevailed 4-3, though they were anxious by a high pitch which struck star slugger Josh Donaldson deep in the ninth inning.
The only relative unknown is Miley, who lamented his fastball command after allowing four runs in five innings Thursday in his Orioles debut. The Orioles would square off against an old teammate Miguel Gonzalez, who was now taking the mound for the opposing team. Baltimore released him during spring training after he posted a 9.78 ERA in six starts. Gonzalez has been consistent throughout July, pitching at least six innings in all six outings.
Matt Albers came in and attempted to stop the bleeding, but Machado would not be denied his third home run in three innings.
“It’s what replay was meant to do”, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “His swings today were great”.
Video review overturned the call and showed Narvaez’s single kicked up chalk on the foul line.
“The last few days we’ve seen the ball jump off his bat, not chasing a lot of stuff”.
At the plate, there are some interesting Baltimore hitters to look at.
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As far as injuries, White Sox rookie shortstop Tim Anderson is day to day after suffering a bruised left hand Thursday.
