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Orioles lament numerous missed opportunities

Club unable to take advantage of seven walks by Blue Jays starter; DP's, gaffes costly

TORONTO -- They had their chances, but the Orioles couldn't capitalize on a shaky outing from Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez on Wednesday.

Sanchez walked seven over 5 1/3 innings, giving the Baltimore bats ample opportunity to cash in on the scoreboard. But aside from a Jimmy Paredes homer in the third, the Orioles came up empty and dropped their third straight game in a 4-2 loss at Rogers Centre.

"We left too many runs out on base," said Chris Davis, who was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. "In a close game like this, you're gonna need those runs."

It was evident early on that Sanchez was struggling with his control. He walked three in the first two innings, but all were erased when Adam Jones lined into a double play to end the first inning and Ryan Flaherty grounded into another twin-killing to end the second.

Video: BAL@TOR: Travis shovels to Reyes to turn two

Baltimore finally made Sanchez pay in the third, when Caleb Joseph walked to lead off the inning and Paredes sent a two-run shot over the wall in left-center field to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

The Orioles could muster only one more hit off Sanchez before he was pulled in favor of Roberto Osuna in the sixth with two runners on and one out.

Manny Machado singled to load the bases, but Osuna worked out of the jam, getting Flaherty to pop out before fanning Joseph to end the inning and the threat.

Video: BAL@TOR: Osuna fans Joseph to leave bases loaded

The O's also ran themselves out of a golden opportunity in the seventh inning, when Alejandro De Aza was caught stealing third with two out and Davis at the plate.

"You'd like to give Chris the chance to swing the bat there," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

"In a close game, we can't give outs away or give free passes. We gave a couple away. And the walks bit us where they didn't bite them."

Video: BAL@TOR: Martin throws out De Aza at third base

The Orioles saw a final opportunity go by the wayside when they mounted another threat in the ninth inning against Blue Jays closer Miguel Castro. After Machado led off with a double and Flaherty walked, Joseph struck out and pinch-hitter Delmon Young grounded into a double play to end the game.

Video: BAL@TOR: Castro gets save on game-ending double play

Jamie Ross is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Baltimore Orioles, Adam Jones, Jimmy Paredes, Caleb Joseph, Ryan Flaherty, Chris Davis, Alejandro De Aza, Delmon Young