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BAL@TB: Gonzalez holds Rays to two hits over seven

There's no time like the present -- at least that's the case when it comes to Manny Machado.

The Orioles' top prospect didn't disappoint in his Major League debut on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. But Machado and the Orioles were on the losing end, dropping the first of a four-game set to the Royals.

Miguel Gonzalez and the O's will look to even things up on Friday, as the Royals look to make it four straight wins behind right-hander Luke Hochevar at Camden Yards.

With the Orioles in the playoff hunt, there won't be a lot of time for Machado to stand around and soak in the big time, although he took a minute to reflect upon being called up to the bigs.

"It was great. Everybody came up to me and congratulated me," said Machado of walking into the clubhouse for the first time. "It was just a great feeling. I've been thinking about this for a long time now. And it's, finally, it's here. This is the highest level, but I am still going to go out there and try to play my game."

Machado will be asked to contribute, as the Orioles enter Friday tied with the Tigers for the American League's second Wild-Card spot. An 8-2 loss to the Royals on Thursday did not help the O's playoff aspirations.

Kansas City, meanwhile, is getting production from a talented young player of its own.

In just his third full season in the Majors, Alcides Escobar is producing like an All-Star. The 25-year-old's .301 average leads all shortstops with at least 300 at-bats. Additionally, he has 10 RBIs in his last 11 games, pushing his season total to 39.

With just less than two months remaining in the season, Escobar needs just eight RBIs, seven steals and one home run to set career highs in each category.

Orioles: Gonzalez a pleasant surprise
• Gonzalez has been a surprise for the Orioles this season, in a good way. After beating the Yankees in the Bronx on July 30 and blanking the Rays on two hits in seven innings on Sunday, the right-hander has gone 3-2 since joining the rotation on July 6. Gonzalez will look to add another win to his record when he takes the mound for his seventh-career start on Friday.

Gonzalez has struggled at home, though, posting an 0-2 record and 10.80 ERA at Camden Yards.

Royals: Hochevar hopes to climb toward .500
• Hochevar has had an up-and-down year, unable to maintain any sort of continued success. At 7-9, though the former first-round Draft pick is trying to end the year with a winning record, and a victory on Friday would go a long way. Hochevar is better on the road than at home, with a 5-5 record and 4.88 ERA.

• The Royals turned their 125th double play on Thursday, the second-most in the Majors behind Minnesota's 134.

Worth noting
• Hochevar has yet to win at Camden Yards in four attempts. He is 0-3 with a 7.99 ERA.

• Gonzalez has never faced the Royals or any of their players.

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