masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAfter tonight’s game – a game where he added two more doubles and the Orioles beat Boston 2-0 – I asked Manny Machado about the latest impressive stat for him.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, here are the leaders for most doubles through 68 team games by a player under age 22 since 1920:

30 – Manny Machado, 2013
25 – Ted Williams, 1939
24 – Joe DiMaggio, 1936

“Talking about Ted Williams, one of the best players to play the game. To be mentioned in that category, it’s a great honor,”…After tonight’s game – a game where he added two more doubles and the Orioles beat Boston 2-0 – I asked Manny Machado about the latest impressive stat for him.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, here are the leaders for most doubles through 68 team games by a player under age 22 since 1920:

30 – Manny Machado, 2013
25 – Ted Williams, 1939
24 – Joe DiMaggio, 1936

“Talking about Ted Williams, one of the best players to play the game. To be mentioned in that category, it’s a great honor,” Machado said.

What is the key to hitting so many doubles?

“You just put a good swing on it and wherever it goes, it goes. You don’t try to look for a double or try to hit home runs. It just happens,” Machado said. “I’m getting my groove back. Being more patient, more selective.”

Machado talked about Chris Tillman’s game tonight. The right-hander pitched six shutout innings against the highest scoring team in the majors.

“His stuff was working today. He got behind some batters, but he battled,” Machado said. “That is something that he has. He will not stop fighting, he goes after hitters and was aggressive with his pitches.”

Tillman improved to 7-2 with an ERA of 3.61 with the win. This was his ninth quality start over his last 11 starts.

“I thought it was good,” Tillman said of his outing. “Early, I struggled with command a little bit, but we were able to make an adjustment mid-game. I think it was getting out of my hand a little late and I was up in the zone early, missing. Got back in sync there.

“Making in-game adjustments is part of the game. I hope I can make adjustments like I did today every start. That’s been big for me this year.”

Tillman tied Jason Hammel for the team wins lead and improves to 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in seven career starts against the Red Sox.

Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 22nd homer. He said it was big to hit one to left-center.

“Definitely good to stay through one the other way,” Davis said. “I felt like the last couple of weeks I was really pulling off pitches and coming around the baseball. Something I worked on a few days ago, driving the ball where it’s pitched.”