A's-O's rancor reignited by thrown bat

BALTIMORE — Orioles 3B Manny Machado said there was no ill intent after being at the center of another heated confrontation with the Athletics on Sunday. Oakland's victory featured another benches-clearing confrontation.

For the second time in three games, Machado was in the middle of the scrum. This time, LHP Fernando Abad threw inside to Machado in the eighth. The bat flew out of Machado's hands and went down the third base line. Both players exchanged words before the benches and bullpens emptied. Machado and Abad were ejected — Machado for throwing the bat and Abad for throwing at him a second time.

"The bat slipped out of my hands," Machado said. "Trying to make contact and the umpire thought it was intentional and he tossed me at that point."

On Friday, Machado didn't like the force of a tag by 3B Josh Donaldson and the two had to be separated.

"There is a certain respect you have to have for this game,'' Oakland C John Jaso said. "When I feel somebody doesn't see that and doesn't respect the game as such, it doesn't sit well with me."

ball boy blunder: A Royals ball boy fielded a fair ball down the first base line and handed it innocently to a fan in the first row of seats. The ball hit by the Yankees' Brian Roberts was clearly ruled fair. But the ball boy evidently failed to notice the signal, and he scooped it up and turned to give it away in one motion. It probably didn't make much difference. Roberts would likely have held at second, where he ended up on the ground-rule double.

marlins: RHP Henderson Alvarez left Sunday's start in the sixth inning because of a left hip strain and is day to day.

mets: 3B David Wright did not start for the first time. He struck out as a pinch-hitter.

rangers: 2B Rougned Odor sprained his right shoulder on a head-first slide Sunday and will be re-evaluated today. Also, 1B Mitch Moreland will miss three months because of left ankle surgery.

rockies: OF Michael Cuddyer (sore left shoulder) missed a third straight game. He could go on the 15-day DL today when RHP Christian Bergman is recalled to make his major-league debut against the Braves.