Manny Machado expresses confidence in O's front office (plus other notes)

During an interview Friday before the start of this series between the Orioles and Angels, third baseman Manny Machado expressed confidence in the team's front office. He has confidence in that group to make any moves the Orioles need to make to stay in first place for the long haul.

"They know what we need," Machado said. "Now it is just a matter of getting it done. I think they've done a great job so far of bringing pieces that need to be put into this team. Every time we trade someone or someone comes over here, it was meant to be. They fit in perfectly in the clubhouse and know what they need to do on the field.

"I have faith in Dan (Duquette) and the front office, as well as in Buck (Showalter). If we need somebody, they'll go out and try to get them. If we don't, we'll keep battling with the team we are. I love the guys that we have in here right now."

Machado and the Orioles lead the American League East by two games heading into today's final game before the All-Star break. The Orioles lead the AL in wins since 2012 with two playoff appearances. Some of that experience of winning should help the team in the second half.

"The first time that we made the playoffs in 2012, that gave us a spark," Machado said. "It showed where we can go and what we are capable of. Obviously, we have additions that have helped us like (Mark) Trumbo. We've been there before and were one pitch away in a couple of the games last time. We need to go out every day to get a W. Keep grinding it out."

The Orioles are playing .581 ball right now at 50-36. If they maintain that winning percentage through 162 games they will have 94-win this season.

More notes on the Orioles:

* The Orioles are 6-1 in their last seven home games are 15-4 in their past 19 games at Camden Yards.

* Trumbo's home run in the bottom of the second inning yesterday was the Orioles' 135th and that sets a new club record for homers prior to the All-Star Game. The previous mark was 134 home runs in 1996.

* Trumbo's 28 home runs prior to the All-Star Game are tied for the third most by an Oriole along with Nelson Cruz (in 2014), trailing Brady Anderson (30 in 1996) and Chris Davis (37 in 2013).

* Second baseman Jonathan Schoop extended his hitting streak to eight games (.364/.417/.515) and is 12-for-33 in that time. Schoop has hit safely in 19 of his last 20 games, batting .422/.467/.675 (35-for-83), including 12 multi-hit efforts during that stretch.

* Orioles starting pitchers have worked five innings or less in six of their last seven and 10 of 13 games. Over the past 21, games the O's rotation has just six quality starts and an ERA of 6.69. The Orioles are 12-9 in that span.

Sedlock debuts: The Orioles' top draft pick, right-hander Cody Sedlock out of the University of Illinois, made his pro debut last night. Pitching for short season Single-A Aberdeen at Williamsport, Sedlock pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. He walked one, fanned four and threw 42 pitches, 27 for strikes. Aberdeen won the game 5-2.