Machado's miscue proves costly in decisive eighth

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have been haunted by walks and sloppy play in the first month of the season, and Friday was no different.

Brian Matusz's two-out walk to Pablo Sandoval and third baseman Manny Machado's error paved the way for Baltimore's 7-5 loss to the Red Sox, setting up a three-run homer by Brock Holt.

"You've got to be able to throw the ball over the plate, give your fielders a chance," said Matusz, who faced only Sandoval in the inning. "That's been my problem so far this year is being able to throw strikes. You've just got to be able to throw strikes."

Video: BOS@BAL: Machado throws laser to first, nabs Ramirez

Machado, who struck out with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, committed a costly miscue in the eighth when Allen Craig's ball skipped past his glove to put runners on the corners. The play extended the inning for Holt, who homered off Darren O'Day, and was Machado's third error in 17 games.

"Manny's as good a third baseman as you can find," manager Buck Showalter said of the Gold Glover. "He made a couple plays in that game that a lot of third basemen don't make, one for sure. He's bailed us out a lot of times. I think the walks hurt us. But at least we cut down on them [from last series], but they really bit us."