O's limping as AL East race becomes a sprint

Baltimore’s 4-game skid drops them 3 games behind idle Rays; Plenty of work to do for both wild cards

The latest:

The Baltimore Orioles absorbed their fourth straight loss on Thursday night when they got swept by the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, 4-3, in 10 innings.

The Orioles blew a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning on a tying two-run homer by Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen.

The Orioles (80-63) fell 3 games behind the idle Tampa Bay Rays (83-60) in the American League East standings.

The Orioles lead the Seattle Mariners (79-65) by 1 game for the first wild card and lead the Toronto Blue Jays (79-66) by 1½ games for the second wild card.

The Orioles have 19 games remaining, including three with the Rays, three with the Mariners and three with the Boston Red Sox.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said his team needs to find a way to get hot.

"We've got to win some games," Hyde said. "We're not playing well enough right now. We've got to find a way to get on a roll here and start winning some games."

What’s next for the Orioles?

The Orioles open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals (58-86) on Friday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer (11-5, 4.50 ERA) will start against Royals right-hander Brad Keller (11-9, 4.78 ERA).

The Orioles have won seven of their past nine games against the Royals.

The Orioles are 37-28 at home this season and 43-35 on the road.

The Orioles have a 10-6 record against the Royals this season.

The Orioles are 5-3 in extra innings this season.

The Orioles are 10th in the American League with a 4.17 ERA.

Who’s hot for the Orioles?

Rookie catcher Adley Rutschman is 9-for-24 (.375) with two doubles, two homers and four RBIs in his past six games.

Outfielder Anthony Santander is 10-for-25 (.400) with three homers and seven RBIs in his past six games.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle is 8-for-25 (.320) with four doubles and five RBIs in his past six games.

Who’s not for the Orioles?

Outfielder Cedric Mullins is 4-for-23 (.174) with two RBIs in his past six games.

Third baseman Ramon Urias is 3-for-20 (.150) with two walks and two RBIs in his past six games.

Second baseman Rougned Odor is 2-for-23 (.087) with two walks and two RBIs in his past six games.

Injury report:

Outfielder Austin Hays (right hamstring tightness) has not played since Aug. 31 and is not expected back before the end of the regular season.

Left-hander John Means (left elbow sprain) is done for the season.

Shortstop Jorge Mateo (left shoulder) is day-to-day.