It appeared almost out of thin air, but there it was in the Orioles’ half of the eighth inning: a first-rate opportunity to win a game they hadn’t yet done anything to deserve to lose.
Tim Beckham’s sinking line drive fell a half-step in front of a sliding Odúbel Herrera. Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo laid off enough 91-mph sliders from Seranthony Domínguez to earn the Orioles’ first two walks of the day.
Yet none scored, the Orioles left in disbelief and still trailing 3-2 after Chris Davis went the other way against the shift but still saw Maikel Franco corral it on a dive and retire him at first base.