ORIOLES POSTCAST: Baltimore Orioles CHOKE vs Atlanta Braves in Extras. Costly Error, Bullpen Meltdown

The Orioles had it. A 2-0 start, another quality outing from Trevor Rogers, and chances to put away the NL East-leading Braves — and it still ends in a 7-6 extra-innings loss. This one hurts. Luke Slabaugh breaks down how Baltimore let it slip: two blown leads, a 10th-inning defensive collapse, and a bullpen that couldn’t finish off Rogers’ third straight quality start. With the playoff race tightening, these are the games you cannot lose. In the 10th, Andrew Kittredge allows a Joey Bart single, then Jackson Holliday’s rushed throw from his knees turns into a costly two-base error. Two batters later, Matt Olson crushes a three-run homer to right — a backbreaker. Trevor Rogers was outstanding again: 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 K, 0 BB — now a 1.48 ERA in July and over 600 career strikeouts. He deserved better. Offensively, the O’s left too much on the table (2-for-11 with RISP AND 10 MEN LEFT ON BASE). Christian Encarnacion-Strand continues to rake: a 2-run double early and an opposite-field HR in the 10th — 8 RBI in his first 5 games with Baltimore, historic production out of the gate. Jackson Holliday also added a sac fly, but it wasn’t enough. Big picture: Baltimore drops to 3-5 in extras and 8-16 in one-run games (tied worst in MLB). That’s the difference in a postseason chase. If you’re feeling this one, you’re not alone. Let’s talk it out — what’s the fix? Subscribe for daily Orioles coverage, postgame reactions, and deep-dive analysis you won’t get anywhere else.