Orioles' win streak ends at 4 with loss to Jays

TORONTO -- The Orioles’ offense didn’t show up in time in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, but they’re still heading back to Baltimore for their home opener coming off back-to-back series wins.

This wasn’t what the preseason projections laid out for Brandon Hyde’s Orioles, and they haven’t done it in the most conventional of ways. The Orioles have leaned heavily on their fluid bullpen and each of their last five games has been decided by two runs or less, which might be a theme the Orioles welcome this season as they work to play solid defense and give themselves a chance late.

“When you win two series in a row, you feel pretty good,” Hyde said after the loss. “You keep winning series and good things happen. We feel really good about the way our club played this week. I just like how we play. We’re playing for each other and I think that’s fantastic.”

In the bottom right-hand corner of the Orioles’ lineup card posted inside the clubhouse is the slogan “Hair On Fire," with the "O" highlighted in Orioles’ orange. That mindset comes from Hyde, who wants his team to play an aggressive brand of baseball and take advantage of their opponent’s mistakes.

It didn’t always work on Wednesday, but the Orioles tried to push the envelope on the bases to spark some offense and ran into some poor batted-ball luck along the way. Three of the Blue Jays’ singles came on infield rollers with exit velocities south of 70 mph.

“We played well. There’s going to be mistakes made and we’re going to make errors,” Hyde said. “We’re going to make baserunning mistakes and we’re going to leave pitches up that are hit for homers. That’s part of the game. That’s big league baseball.”

Baltimore’s biggest offensive threat was also cut short by a tough double play in the top of the fifth inning. With runners on first and second and just one out, Pedro Severino ripped a line drive down the third-base line but it was snagged by Richard Urena, who was positioned well. Urena quickly flipped to second to turn the double play and end the inning.

The Orioles were within striking distance, down 2-0, until the eighth inning, but right-hander Matt Wotherspoon -- who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after having his contract selected earlier in the day -- allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in his MLB debut to extend the deficit. Trey Mancini continued to give the Blue Jays headaches in the bottom half of the eighth, though, with a three-run home run off the facing of the second deck in center.

“I’m really proud of our guys for the week they had,” Hyde said. “I liked the way they fought back in the ninth inning. If we do those things, it’s going to be a good year.”

The Orioles return to Camden Yards for their home opener on Thursday against the Yankees, with Alex Cobb scheduled to come off the injured list for his 2019 debut.