The excitement surrounding Manny Machado's Baltimore Orioles debut was muted by a subpar performance from Wei-Yin Chen Thursday in an 8-2 loss to the Royals.

Still, Machado did his best to keep the crowd thrilled. He went 2-for-4 with a triple and a single and scored once.

Playing third base and batting ninth, Machado, the team's 2010 first-round pick, recevied a standing ovation as he walked to the plate for the first time in the bottom of the second. He grounded out to short. During the top of the inning, Salvador Perez grounded out to Machado for the 20-year-old's first defensive opportunity.

Machado later got the crowd on its feet when he tripled to right-center field. He scored on the next at bat when he tagged on a Nick Markakis fly out to left. The Orioles trailed 7-1 at that point.

With the Orioles down 8-2 in the seventh, Machado legged-out a single. Markakis followed and grounded into a double play. Machado also popped out to end the game.

Machado, who has been playing shortstop at Double-A Bowie, said the adjustment to third base was awkward at first."After that first pitch, I was good," Machado said.

Chen gave up seven runs, a career high, and nine hits during five innings.

Chen said, "I feel like my fastball was really straight today and there was no life in it."

Manager Buck Showalter said Chen would bounce back from the tough outing. He also praised Machado saying, "I like his calmness and the way he approaches the competition. He is up there trying to help us win. We'll see."

"It would have been way much better if we came out with the win" Machado said.

Machado played down any speculation that this meant automatic success for his career.

"I still have a lot more at-bats to go," Machado said. "For a first night, I think it went great."

Posted Aug. 9, 2012