Orioles lose playoff-intensity game

Baltimore fell to Milwaukee 6-5 in 10 innings Friday, dropping a must-win contest with nine games left in the season.

Playoff hopes hinge on final stretch

The Orioles are three games back of the wild card with eight games remaining. They must win nearly every game to make October.

Chourio's three-run homer sets tone

Jackson Chourio blasted a three-run home run off starter Cade Povich on a 3-0 changeup in the first inning, giving Milwaukee an early lead.

“Don't know how many 3-0 changeups I've thrown, but wasn't expecting that result”

Alonso matches Chourio with homer

Pete Alonso answered with his own three-run home run in the third inning, tying the game and keeping Baltimore in contention.

Brewers take lead in ninth inning

William Contreras hit an RBI double and Christian Yelich added an RBI single in the top of the ninth to give Milwaukee a 5-3 lead.

Orioles rally to force extra innings

Gunnar Henderson singled and Coby Mayo doubled to start the ninth. Sacrifice flies from Samuel Basallo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand tied the game at 5-5.

“Losing right now is tough. Obviously, we did a great job rallying back, and you're going to have those games where you rally back and lose.”

Frelick's single puts Brewers ahead

In the tenth inning, Sal Frelick hit a go-ahead RBI single to give Milwaukee a 6-5 lead.

Albernaz declines bunt in tenth

With the automatic runner on second, manager Craig Albernaz chose to have Jeremiah Jackson swing rather than bunt, a contrast to his seventh-inning strategy.

“We felt more comfortable with J.J. swinging than getting the bunt down. We all talked, and we liked the matchup and taking our shot to win the game.”

Jackson strikes out to end game

Jeremiah Jackson struck out, followed by two flyouts, ending the Orioles' comeback attempt and the game.

Basallo's bunting gamble in seventh

Samuel Basallo, a power hitter signed for his bat, asked manager Albernaz if he could bunt in the seventh with runners on. He missed twice and struck out.

“He came up to me when Coby was on second base, and he was like, 'Hey, if it's first and second, can I bunt?' I said 'absolutely,'”

Brewers manager praises Orioles effort

Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy told reporters the Orioles are playing like a first-place team despite being in last place in the AL East, impressed by their commitment.

“they're playing like a first-place team. That guy managing the team over there, he's got their attention. That was special.”

Nine games remain in do-or-die sprint

The Orioles face eight more games after Friday's loss, each one carrying playoff-level importance as they chase the wild card.