masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Rays scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning tonight to break a 1-1 tie, and a Manny Machado error on Evan Lorgoria’s bouncer to third base ignited the rally.

“Should have caught it,” Machado said. “Took a little side spin on me, ate me up. Should’ve taken a step forward, but I should have made the out.”

Machado didn’t think he could throw out Longoria once the ball skipped off his glove.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “I couldn’t find the…ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Rays scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning tonight to break a 1-1 tie, and a Manny Machado error on Evan Lorgoria’s bouncer to third base ignited the rally.

“Should have caught it,” Machado said. “Took a little side spin on me, ate me up. Should’ve taken a step forward, but I should have made the out.”

Machado didn’t think he could throw out Longoria once the ball skipped off his glove.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “I couldn’t find the ball and once it hit my glove, it bounced up, I had no shot after that.”

The synthetic grass at Tropicana Field can present some challenges, especially for a rookie who’s adapting to a new position.

“It’s an adjustment I need to make,” he said. “I should have caught more grounders in BP and gotten used to it more. But it’s no excuse.”

The Orioles fell a game behind the Yankees in the American League East.

“We’ve just got to keep trying to win, keep trying to get this division,” Machado said. “We’ll forget about today and go out there and try to pick up these next two games.”

Adam Jones said he didn’t injure his ankle. Totally downplayed it, as expected. He’s not coming out of the lineup.

Chris Davis is the first Oriole to homer in five straight games since Melvin Mora on Sept 30, 2005-April 5, 2006. The last Oriole to homer in six straight? Reggie Jackson on July 18-23, 1976.

Davis’ home run streak ties the longest in the majors over the last two years. A.J. Pierzynski did it July 30-Aug. 5, 2012. Mike Napoli (April 15-21, 2012) and Paul Konerko (July 17-21, 2011) also accomplished the feat.

The last player to homer in six straight games was Carlos Pena on June 6-12, 2010.