Manny Machado mashes ball over Green Monster (Video)

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado launches three-run home run ball over the Green Monster in Fenway Park.

The season series between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles is thick with drama. One play after another leading to ejections, confusion, and post-game expletive filled tirades. And with the series tied at four games apiece, winning Thursday night will go a long way toward a successful 2017. That is, if cooler heads will prevail.

Most all of the attention circles around Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado. After a late, but legal, slide into second base that led to his spikes spearing the calf of Dustin Pedroia, Machado is considered public enemy number one in Boston. The Red Sox pitchers attempted to hit Machado with a pitch, and failed. Miserably. That was April 21. This is the seventh game since that incident.

Machado had a lot to say post-game on Tuesday of this series, after Red Sox pitcher Chris sale threw a 97 MPH fastball at his lower body. Warnings were issued, words were shared. More batters were hit with balls.

But not tonight — on this night, Machado got a piece of revenge in the fourth inning.

Word to the wise: do not make Machado mad. After hitting a home run off Sale earlier this week, Machado mashes an offering from starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick over the Green Monster, and out of Fenway Park. The three-run shot gave the Orioles a 6-3 lead in the fourth inning.

Next: 5 players the Royals should consider trading

It is easy to understand why Machado was upset after all that’s transpired over the last couple weeks. His bat is doing the talking. No, he is not charging the mound and letting the pitcher get a up close look of the grain. He is mashing the ball. And the Orioles are mashing their AL East competition.