Anthony Santander's hitting streak has officially ended after 18 games.
With a three-strikeout performance in a 4-2 loss to the Rays, Santander's impressive run came to a close. He went 0-for-4 on the night.
The streak, which began in the second game of a doubleheader against the Marlins on Aug. 5, was one of the longest in Orioles history. Santander's streak was the longest since Nick Markakis' own 18-game run in April and May of 2014. The longest streak in team history is still held by Eric Davis, who tallied a hit in 30 consecutive games in 1998.
But Rays starter Tyler Glasnow cooled off every Oriole bat, including Santander's, as his pitching was the story of the night.
"We had a tough time with Glasnow," Hyde said. "He was really on his game tonight. When you're facing a starter like that, that's got the 97-98 (mph fastball) working, just a hammer of a breaking ball, it makes it tough on you offensively. We just had a tough time rallying together, making a whole lot of contact off Glasnow."
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The Orioles opened the game with a home run from Renato Nunez in the first inning, but the offense was quiet for the remainder as Glasnow kept the Orioles guessing all night. He threw seven innings, allowed just five hits and two earned runs with a whopping 13 strikeouts. Three of those punchouts were from Santander.
Despite the poor night, Santander has been the Orioles' best hitter in the 2020 season, entering the night with a .287 batting average with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs. With the 0-for performance, his average dipped to .277.
Still, with an OPS+ of 165 and an on-base percentage of .333, Santander's bat has been the most consistent part of an Orioles team that has been wildly up and down through the season's first 29 games.
While the Orioles' offense flailed at Glasnow curveballs, Orioles starter Tommy Milone threw 5 ⅓ innings with just four hits and two earned runs allowed. The game got away from him in the second, as a fielding error by Pat Valaika allowed a runner on base, which was followed by home runs from Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot. That was all the offense the Rays needed.
"I thought Tommy threw the ball real well," Hyde said. "Besides the back-to-back homers after the mistake. He did a really nice job. Pitched into the sixth inning. Changed speeds once again, made a couple mistakes there on the homer, but gave up two earned runs, kept us in the game. Was a really nice start.
With one game left to play before the season hits the midway mark, the Orioles have just five more games before trade deadline day next Monday.
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Orioles' Anthony Santander has hitting streak end at 18 games in loss to Rays originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
