Snakebit or encouraging after latest O's loss?

SEATTLE - At this point, should the Orioles feel encouraged about their comeback last night or snakebit that it fell short and they lost again?

The losing streak reached 10 when the Mariners beat the Orioles 10-9 Friday night at T-Mobile Park. But what was headed for a blowout loss with the Orioles down 10-3 after five became a one-run game by the seventh inning. Would the Orioles end a long losing streak with a stirring comeback?

The answer would be no, but at least the offense, at least for this night, broke out. The Orioles had scored nine runs total on 17 hits with just one extra-base hit through the first four games of the road trip. Then they scored nine with 14 hits that included four doubles. The team showed some energy and fight even after the pitchers put them in a seven-run hole.

So is it the snakebit thing or did last night give the club some momentum to end this losing streak before this road trip ends tomorrow?

"Well, we walked eight, they walked none," said manager Brandon Hyde. "So, you are not going to win games when that happens, for the most part. But, I liked the way we competed. And going back to spring training, we were hoping for a group of guys that were looking for an opportunity, trying to take advantage of an opportunity and compete every single night. It's been a tough couple of weeks. This trip has been tough, but we did compete tonight and I thought we showed a lot of character in how we played."

Down 10-3 after five innings, the Orioles scored five in the sixth and once in the seventh, and it was 10-9. Their biggest comeback of the year was within reach. They just couldn't quite get there.

"I thought we swung the bat really well," Hyde said. "We drove some balls tonight, which was awesome to see. We've had our share of singles lately, so for us to get the ball up in the air and drive the baseball was nice."

Recalled from Triple-A Friday, both right-hander Branden Kline and left-hander Tanner Scott struggled as the O's fell behind by seven runs. Kline allowed four runs in two innings and Scott gave up a run and walked three in 2/3 of an inning. Was travel from the East Coast and little sleep an excuse for the duo?

"That was a tough travel day for 'em," said Hyde. "Like I've said before, both those guys have major league bullpen stuff. It's about being able to command the baseball. And, when they figure it out, which they will, they're going to be really nice back-end relievers. Until then, we're going to ride it out with them and try to get them better."

Hyde had postgame props for Pedro Severino. He went 3-for-4 and drove in three. His two-run double in the first gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead, and his RBI single in the seventh closed the deficit to 10-9.

"He's swinging the bat great. Now, that guy competes," Hyde said. "When he's in the batter's box there is a presence and an energy of, I just like the way Sevy doesn't chase much and attacks the strike zone. He gives himself an opportunity. And he might get himself out at times by rolling stuff over, but there is purpose in his swing. There is purpose in his at-bat. He's ready to hit and he's only going to get better."

During a five-game hitting streak, Severino is 8-for-19. For the season, he's batting .289/.366/.507 with eight homers and 21 RBIs. He said he thinks the team can take some momentum from this loss and the offense that was produced.

"We fight, it's 27 outs and we fight during the game," Severino said. "It doesn't matter if we're losing, we just grind and grind and grind until the game is over. We had a great comeback right there and all my teammates did a great job. Everybody just kept focused. We just have to keep grinding and see what happens at the end of the game."

The Mariners scored 10 or more runs for the 10th time on the year and the Orioles allowed 10 or more for the 14th time. The Orioles have been outscored 90-37 during the losing streak.

The Orioles will likely be adding a pitcher to their staff before today's game. Friday's losing pitcher, lefty Sean Gilmartin, was optioned out to Triple-A after the game.

The Orioles have had 16 losing streaks of 10 or more in club history:

21 games - 04/04/88 - 04/28/88
14 games - 08/11/54 - 08/25/54
13 games - 09/17/09 - 09/30/09
12 games - 06/18/55 - 07/03/55
12 games - 09/18/02 - 09/29/02
12 games - 08/16/04 - 08/28/04
11 games - 07/27/58 - 08/08/58
10 games - 05/21/54 - 05/29/54
10 games - 06/03/87 - 06/13/87
10 games - 08/23/98 - 09/02/98
10 games - 06/23/99 - 07/03/99
10 games - 09/01/01 - 09/19/01
10 games - 08/24/02 - 09/03/02
10 games - 09/17/08 - 09/26/08
10 games - 05/26/10 - 06/05/10
10 games - 06/12/19 - present