I never thought I'd be relieved to see the Orioles salvage a four-game series split in Houston, but the baseball season is long and trying. Manny Machado, still struggling to regain his pre-injury form, made the difference today with his first career grand slam in a 9-4 victory. It came on the heels of an intentional walk delivered to Nick Markakis, and it also provided some measure of retribution against Astros starter Scott Feldman. The ex-O's pitcher had previously knocked Nelson Cruz out of the game after plunking him on the hand with a fastball. Fortunately x-rays were negative, and the league's leading slugger is considered day-to-day, just like the rest of us.
