AFP, Milwaukee :
Manny Machado made a splash in his Los Angeles debut on Friday with a multi-hit game as the Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 6-4 at Miller Park.
Machado, who started at shortstop, batted second in the order and wasted no time making an impact with a single in his first at-bat off Milwaukee starting pitcher Wade Miley in the top of the first. Considered one of the prize catches on the Major League Baseball trade market this season, Machado was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for five prospects.
“This is a great team and I am looking forward to the rest of the season,” said Machado who finished two-for-three at the plate. “They made me feel right at home the first day here.”
Machado walked in his next two at-bats and delivered his second single in the seventh inning off relief pitcher Taylor Williams in front of a Milwaukee crowd of 36,800.
Machado slides into the shortstop position with Corey Seager out after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in May. “For seven years I put on the same uniform,” Machado said. “I finally got traded and everything is behind me now. I feel great. I was pretty nervous about it at first but that blue (jersey) looks good on me.” Machado chose to wear number eight for the Dodgers as a homage to his favorite NBA player Kobe Bryant. “My dog is named Kobe,” he said. No doubt that was a relief for the Dodgers’ Max Muncy who wears the No. 13 that Machado donned during his time with the Orioles. Machado was hitting .315, with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs for the Orioles this season and the Dodgers are hoping he can maintain that blistering pace. “We think Manny was the most impactful player on the market at the time, and any contender could see he could make a positive impact for him,” general manager Farhan Zaidi said.
