Notes on streak ending, minor league injuries, Henderson and more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Orioles clubhouse was livelier this afternoon, the televisions tuned to baseball and golf, and players joking and interacting with each other.

Last night’s 5-4 loss, which ended a 10-game winning streak, created silence and left the Orioles visibly frustrated.

“We’ve been playing so well,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Just disappointing that we lose a close game like that. We feel like it’s a game we should have won.”

Stranding eight runners in the first six innings hinted at disaster.

“We had our opportunities early in the game to add on a lead.” Hyde said. “When you let teams like this hang on - we’ve seen it in the past with these guys - it’s very, very difficult.

“We had one bad inning. We did make a nice little comeback with (Ramón) Urías hitting the two-run homer to cut it within one. We just couldn’t get any more after that.”

Hyde sensed that his team had played “free and easy” rather than letting the streak create any level of stress.

“I thought our dugout had a ton of life and energy starting the game last night,” he said. “We scored a couple runs early. We missed some chances offensively, and I think once you do that, now you’re really relying on your pitching staff, and there’s a lot of pressure on them.

“You’ve got to be able to score against these types of teams when they give you an opportunity. And unfortunately, we just didn’t do that enough last night.”

The Orioles announced today that reliever Travis Lakins Sr. had “a setback” during his rehab in Sarasota. Lakins is on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

Pitcher Denyi Reyes is beginning a rehab assignment today with High-A Aberdeen.

Single-A Delmarva placed infielder Anthony Servideo on the seven-day injured list with a groin strain.

Triple-A Norfolk infielder Gunnar Henderson is playing in tonight’s All-Star Futures Game in Los Angeles. Henderson, 21, is batting a combined .294/.428/.540 with 16 doubles, six triples, 13 home runs, 54 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in a combined 348 plate appearances between Double-A Bowie and Norfolk.

“Really athletic,” Hyde said. “Big, strong. I like his left-handed swing, I love his arm strength from the left side of the infield. He’s an impressive kid, also. I think he’s really matured in the last couple years, a few talks I’ve had with him. What a great experience for him to go to the Futures Game. I know he’s having a great year in Double-A and in Triple-A now, and we’re happy with the progress he’s made. And hope he enjoys his experience there.”

Players from the Florida Complex League are at Tropicana Field today.