Frederick Keys game blog: Machado finishes 3-for-4

FREDERICK, Md. - Tonight's game here at Harry Grove Stadium between the Single-A Frederick Keys and Myrtle Beach Pelicans is now set for an 8 p.m. first pitch. Manny Machado is playing in his first rehab game tonight. He was slated to bat second and play third base. Due to the heavy rain from earlier and with a still somewhat damp field, Machado will now DH and not play the field tonight. He will still bat second, but as the DH. Jason Esposito, who was the DH, will now start at third base. As for the Keys, they have won just two of nine home games this year and they are 9-11 overall on the season. But, since a 2-7 start, Frederick is 7-4. The last two nights have been wild here. On Wednesday night Myrtle Beach beat Frederick 21-6, handing the Keys their worst loss since June 11, 2006. But last night Frederick came right back and won 5-4 with a ninth inning walk-off win on Wynston Sawyer's RBI double. Here is tonight's Frederick lineup: CF - Glynn Davis 3B - Manny Machado 1B - Creede Simpson LF - Michael Burgess DH - Jason Esposito RF - Lucas Herbst SS - Adrian Marin 2B - Jerome Pena C - Steel Russell RHP - Parker Bridwell During a press conference earlier here, Machado said tonight will be much different for him than playing games at extended spring training. "There was maybe 10 to 15 people out there watching you play," Machado said. "Just your teammates. Definitely a little different playing in front of the lights and in front of a crowd. It changes your mentality. It's what I need to take it to the next level." Since he resumed sprinting, has Machado had any issues cutting or planting on his surgically repaired left knee? "Thank God, we haven't had any issues with it. I feel comfortable," he said. "Obviously I'm a little slow still, but you keep playing and that is going to come. Have to trust what I did with all the hard work, all the running, all the weights, all I've done." During tonight's game I'll update this entry with each Machado plate appearance and with any other news and notes during the game. Feel free to leave any comments and/or questions. Machado in the first: After hitting 51 doubles for the Orioles last season, Machado picked one up in the last of the first tonight. He lined a 1-2 pitch from Victor Payano down the right-field line for a two-base hit to the delight of the big crowd here tonight. Creede Simpson followed with a walk, but both runners were stranded when Michael Burgess and Jason Esposito struck out to end a scoreless first inning. Manny with a triple: Machado is now halfway to batting for the cycle in the third inning at Frederick. Machado tripled to right field on a 2-0 pitch leading off the last of the third. Machado hit the ball down the line near the fence and right fielder Nick Williams tried to make a sliding catch in the corner. He didn't make the play as Machado motored safely sliding into third. With two outs, a bloop RBI double by Jason Esposito scored Machado to tie the game 1-1 after three innings. Machado now 3-for-3: The Machado show continued in the last of the fifth at Frederick when he hit the first pitch he saw from Payano for a double to center field. It was a rocket that was hit off the center field wall and Machado is now 3-for-3 with two doubles a triple. Not a bad night and it's only the fifth inning in Frederick. He later scored on a Lucas Herbst single and the Keys now trail 3-2. In 63 games with the 2011 Frederick Keys, Machado had just two three-hit games and none with three extra-base hits. Finally makes an out: Left-handed reliever Alexander Claudio finally got Machado to make an out in the last of the sixth. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, he got him on a called third strike over the outside corner. So Machado is 3-for-4 tonight at Frederick. Myrtle Beach leads 5-2 after six innings. Miguel Chalas came on for Bridwell to pitch in the seventh. Machado out: Machado came out of the game after striking out in the seventh. He finished the night 3-for-4.