Suspension may be only way to cool off Machado (O's lose 12-7)

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has picked the days leading up to his suspension to really get hot.

Machado homered for the third time in three days to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning. He went to the opposite field off Rays starter Alex Cobb.

Ben Zobrist homered off Miguel Gonzalez in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 3-3, his second RBI of the day.

Machado homered in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader, yesterday and again this afternoon, giving him seven on the season. He totaled four in the first 50 games.

Machado is 10-for-28 (.357) with three home runs in the last eight games.

Machado was 0-for-14 lifetime against Cobb before today, including a ground out in the second inning.

The result of Machado's appeal hearing could be announced on Monday. Manager Buck Showalter continues to wait for the phone call.

The hearing took place Wednesday at the warehouse. The bat-throwing incident was three weeks ago.

The Orioles lead the majors with 41 home runs in June. They're 36-20 this season when they hit a home run.

The Orioles are 30-26 since May 1, homering in all 30 victories. According to STATS, they've lost their last 11 games when they've failed to hit one.

Zobrist was 3-for-24 lifetime against Gonzalez before today. Now, he's got a run-scoring double and a home run.

The Rays would have a 4-3 lead if Desmond Jennings hadn't been picked off first base by catcher Nick Hundley after his leadoff walk in the fifth. Zobrist followed with a home run, and the next two Rays singled.

Update: Gonzalez turned in his third consecutive disappointing start since coming off the disabled list, allowing three runs and eight hits in only 4 2/3 innings. He walked four, struck out two, gave up two home runs and committed a balk.

Gonzalez threw 88 pitches, the last resulting in a walk to Brandon Guyer that loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth. Evan Meek struck out Logan Forsythe to keep the game tied.

In his three starts since being activated, Gonzalez has totaled 14 2/3 innings and allowed 25 hits and 10 runs, with nine walks, eight strikeouts and five home runs.

Markakis singled leading off the bottom of the fifth, leaving him 103 hits shy of Boog Powell for fifth place on the club's all-time list. Still counting.

Update II: The Rays sent 11 batters to the plate in the sixth, scored seven runs and took a 10-4 lead.

The seven runs and seven hits are season highs for the Rays in one inning.

The bullpen finally cracked, beginning with Meek, who served up a one-out, game-tying home run to Kevin Kiermaier. James Loney had a two-run double off Brian Matusz, Brandon Guyer followed with an RBI double and Logan Forsythe hit a two-run homer.

Meek was charged with four runs and Matusz three.

The bullpen had allowed one run in the last 30 innings before Kiermaier homered for the second time in two games.

Seven consecutive Tampa Bay batters reached with two outs.

Update III: It's not getting any better for the Orioles, who trail 12-4 in the bottom of the seventh after Joyce's two-run shot off Matusz.

Joyce ties the Rays' record with five hits today. The Orioles have allowed a season-high 12 runs.

Left-handers were batting .220 against Matusz this season and right-handers were hitting .317. Splits don't matter today.

Update IV: Game over. The Orioles lose to the Rays 12-7.

Ryan Flaherty hit a three-run homer off left-hander Cesar Ramos with one out in the ninth and Steve Pearce followed with a double, his second hit of the day. #ProfessionalHitter.

Nelson Cruz walked with two outs, but Joel Peralta struck out Caleb Joseph with the count full.

The Orioles are 42-39 overall after losing three of four to Tampa Bay in this series. They're 3-4 on the homestand.

The Orioles are 19-21 at home, 13-17 in day games and 4-9 on Sundays (including 1-6 at Camden Yards).