The Baltimore Orioles’ season ended in disappointment on Wednesday following their 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the American League Wildcard Series. With only one run scored over 18 innings, the Orioles were swept in the series, marking a swift exit from the postseason.

After suffering a 1-0 defeat in Game 1, Baltimore entered Wednesday’s matchup desperate for a spark in offense. Center fielder Cedric Mullins provided a brief moment of hope, launching a solo home run off Royals starter Seth Lugo in the fifth inning. The optimism quickly faded however, as the Orioles squandered a golden opportunity later in the inning with the bases loaded and no outs, failing to capitalize and add to their line run. The frustration was evident among players and fans at Camden Yards. Each missed chance to rally only amplified the tension, leading to visibly frustrated reactions in the dugout.

Wednesday’s loss extended the Orioles’ postseason woes to ten consecutive losses, a streak that dates back to the 2014 American League Championship Series, when they were swept by the Royals in four games. This current stretch ties for the fourth longest in MLB history, trailing only the Minnesota Twins’ infamous run of 18 straight playoff losses in the 21st century.

As the Orioles face an offseason filled with questions and uncertainty, the young talent the circles around their ballclub provides hope that they can regroup and come back stronger next season.