Rookies can play an important role for contending teams during stretch run

Manny Machado will never forget the day that he heard about his promotion to the Orioles. It was Aug. 8, 2012. He was with the Double-A Bowie Baysox and getting off a bus at the team hotel after a game in Altoona, Pa.

Machado had just signed an autograph for a young fan when Baysox manager Gary Kendall delivered the news in the lobby.

"He said, 'I've got news for you. You better go back to the ballpark and get your stuff,' " Machado said.

Machado asked if he was getting released. But no.

"He told me, 'You're going to be playing third base in Camden Yards tomorrow night for the Orioles against the Kansas City Royals,' " Machado said. "It was unbelievable to me because I had played only two games at third base."

At 19, Machado's Orioles debut was Aug. 9. He hit a triple in his first game and two home runs in his second. He had 10 hits in his first eight games. And his glove tightened the Orioles defense on the left side.

This season, the Orioles are hoping an increased second-half role for rookie pitcher Dylan Bundy will help them win the American League East, much like Machado in 2012.

Bundy spent the first half of the season in the bullpen, but joined the rotation after the All-Star break.

Bundy is not alone on the list of rookies playing key roles for contending teams in the final weeks. There's Washington speed guy Trea Turner, Seattle closer Edwin Diaz, Texas outfielder Nomar Mazara and Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon.

"My arm feels great, so I'm ready to do whatever the club needs me to do," Bundy says.

Since 2000, there's a history of rookies delivering down the stretch:

* In 2002, reliever Francisco Rodriguez, 20 and pitching for the Anaheim Angels, had 13 strikeouts in 5 2/3 September innings and 28 strikeouts in 18 2/3 postseason as the Angels beat San Francisco to win the World Series.

* In 2003, outfielder Miguel Cabrera, 20, hit 12 home runs in the final 87 games for the Florida Marlins and added four postseason home runs as the Marlins won the World Series against the New York Yankees.

* Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury of Boston hit .353 in 33 games after a late-season promotion for the Red Sox and then averaged .438 in their 2007 World Series victory against Colorado.

* In 2013, Boston's Xander Bogaerts, 20, hit .250 in 18 September games and then got hot in the postseason when the Red Sox beat St. Louis in the World Series. Bogaerts had eight hits and six walks in 12 postseason games.

* Last season, lefty Steven Matz made four of his six starts for the New York Mets in September, going 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA. He started one game in each of the three postseason series for the Mets, who lost to Kansas City in the World Series.

Looking back at 2012, Machado was confident he could play, but he said Orioles manager Buck Showalter's support gave him a chance to relax.

"It allowed me to play more freely," Machado said. "The biggest adjustment was one day playing in front of 200 or 300 fans (in the minors) and then coming to Baltimore and seeing the three decks of fans wanting us to win.

"And the playoffs? That atmosphere was a whole different animal. I kept asking myself, 'Am I really in the big leagues?' The whole playoffs, I blacked out. I don't remember a lot. It was just unbelievable."

Machado had a hit in the Orioles' win against Texas in the wild card game. He was 2-for-16 with a home run in the American League Division Series loss to the Yankees.

What was the key to coping with the expectations of a race and new position?

"The baseball gods will always be good to you if you work hard and play the game the right way," Machado said. "You have to stick to your roots."

Was that easier said than done?

Machado smiled.

"I think so," he said.