BALTIMORE (AP) - Another poor outing by their starting pitcher left the Baltimore Orioles facing an early three-run deficit and the prospect of another lopsided loss.
Then Manny Machado took over.
Machado went 4 for 4, homered twice and drove in four runs to help the Orioles beat Cleveland 6-5 on Tuesday night and end the Indians’ six-game winning streak.
After absorbing a 12-0 defeat one night earlier, Baltimore fell behind 5-2 before rallying to win for only the fourth time in 13 games.
“Coming back from the game we had (Monday) night - they really took it to us - it was good to come out ahead against a real good team,” manager Buck Showalter said.
Machado hit a solo homer in the first inning and tied it with a three-run drive in the fifth. Then, in the seventh, Machado doubled off Bryan Shaw (1-2) and scored on a double by Adam Jones.
Machado’s first four-hit game since last August lifted his batting average 13 points to .227.
“Just happy I was able to do something for us today,” Machado said. “We played great baseball. That’s what we’ve got to keep doing, picking each other up.”
Miguel Castro (1-0) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh to earn his first big league victory.
Brad Brach pitched the ninth for his 13th save, retiring Yan Gomes on a deep fly ball with runners on the corners and two outs.
Orioles starter Chris Tillman allowed five runs and eight hits in four-plus innings, but Baltimore’s comeback enabled him to avoid losing a sixth straight start.
Asked to sum up his outing, Tillman uttered three words: “Not very good.”
The Orioles allowed at least five runs in a 17th consecutive game. That’s the longest run in AL history and just three short of the dubious major league record of 20 set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies.
Juan Encarnacion homered for the Indians, whose season-high winning streak thrust the team into first place in the AL Central.
“Nobody wants to lose, but I don’t think this loss will affect tomorrow,” manager Terry Francona said.
Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin yielded a season-high three homers in 4 2/3 innings. The one pitch he lamented most was the cutter he threw to Machado with two on in the fifth.
“I didn’t execute a pitch and it changed the game,” he said.
EXTRA SPECIAL
Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez hit two singles to become the first Indians player to have at least two hits in eight straight games since Kenny Lofton in June 1996. On Monday, Ramirez set a modern-day record with 14 extra-base hits over a seven-day span.
FIRST PITCH
Actor Michael Kelly, who plays White House chief of staff Doug Stamper on “House of Cards,” threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Kelly said he “practiced all week” for his big moment - then short-hopped the throw to the plate.
ROSTER MOVES
The Orioles transferred closer Zach Britton (forearm strain) to the 60-day DL, a move that allowed the team to select the contract of OF Craig Gentry from Triple-A Norfolk and add him to the 40-man roster. Britton went on the DL on May 5 and isn’t expected to return until just before the All-Star break. … Baltimore also recalled LHP Donnie Hart from Triple-A Norfolk, and optioned INF David Washington and LHP Vidal Nuno to Norfolk.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Indians: OF Brandon Guyer (sprained wrist) went 1 for 2 in his third rehab outing for Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday afternoon. He’s 3 for 6 with a home run and two walks since his assignment began. . RHP Danny Salazar (shoulder soreness) threw a bullpen session Monday and did some fielding drills on Tuesday, manager Terry Francona said.
Orioles: Britton began his rehabilitation assignment with a scoreless inning for Class-A Aberdeen. … Darren O’Day (right shoulder strain) could come off the DL on Friday if all goes well after his simulated game Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 3.21 ERA) makes his first start at Camden Yards since 2014 on Wednesday night. He’s 5-1 with a 2.89 ERA away from home this season.
Orioles: RHP Kevin Gausman (3-6, 6.60 ERA) starts for the Orioles. In his first 15 starts, he made it through seven innings only once.
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