Baltimore Orioles Machado Smashes Grand Slam as Bullpen Collapses

The heavy-hitting Baltimore Orioles offense was on display as Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Trey Mancini all deliver home runs in the Orioles spring training loss.

The high-potent Baltimore Orioles offensive lineup was on full display in the Orioles 10-9 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals.

It was all Baltimore early as Buck Showalter put forth his potential starting batting lineup with newly-acquired Colby Rasmus leading off, followed by All-Stars Jonathan Schoop and Manny Machado. As a result, Tim Beckham moved down the lineup and hit eighth for Showalter.

The fireworks started in the third inning after back-to-back singles from Rasmus and Schoop to load the bases for no other than Machado. Next, the three-time All-Star Machado struck a grand slam beyond the left field wall to put the Orioles up 4-0.

Two innings later, Chris Davis crushed a three-run home run deep to center field, bringing flashbacks of Chris “Crush” Davis who was among the top power hitters in the game.

The next at-bat, Trey Mancini completed back-to-back homers for the Orioles, putting the Orioles up by seven runs, 8-1.

Meanwhile, Orioles rotation hopeful Mike Wright tossed two shutout innings as he continues to increase his odds of making the Orioles rotation or bullpen.

Despite being in the lineup and his mammoth fifth-inning home run, Davis has been dealing with a sore right forearm, per MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko. Due to the injury, Trumbo started at first base as Davis moved to the DH spot.

The slugger revealed the severity of his injury to MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko:

"“I noticed it a few days ago. I think it’s a combination of sleeping with my arm tucked up underneath me and not really being able to get it stretched out the next day. Just doing a lot of work early on, taking a lot of reps.“I’ve never had arm issues, never had elbow issues. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a big deal. It’s muscular, so I don’t have to worry about any ligaments or tendons or anything like that. But just something I have to deal with and take it day by day."

Following the game, Kubatko revealed Davis’ play will be limited to hitting and fielding ground balls moving forward. Nonetheless, the injury doesn’t seem too concerning and seems more of a day-to-day issue after Showalter decided to leave him in the lineup.

Next: Orioles Top Pitching Prospect Makes First-Career Start

The 1-5 Baltimore Orioles travel back to Charlotte Sports Park Thursday to take on the Rays at 1:05 p.m. ET. Most noteworthy, Rule 5 draft pick Nestor Cortes Jr. makes his debut as the Orioles look to secure win No. 2 of the spring training season.