Camden Yards proved to be Kendrys Morales' kryptonite.
The Toronto Blue Jays slugger was denied a share of the major-league record for consecutive games with a homer in his team's 7-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.
Morales struck out twice, grounded out, and also took a walk in the sixth inning. His best chance to extend the streak came in the top of the first when he worked an eight-pitch at-bat against Orioles starter David Hess before striking out.
"It had to end at some point," Morales said postgame, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. "It's something incredible, something I'm really proud of. I never thought I was going to do something like that in my life."
While he fell short of the big-league record, his seven-game home run streak has left him alongside some impressive company. Kevin Mench, Barry Bonds, and Jim Thome are the only other players who have managed to hit homers in seven consecutive contests.
Morales was attempting to become only the fourth hitter in MLB history to have homered in eight straight games. Ken Griffey Jr., Don Mattingly, and Dale Long remain the three men who have accomplished the feat.
During the course of his streak, which began on Aug. 19 in New York, Morales produced a .481/.500/1.370 slash line and hit eight homers, including a pair against Baltimore on Aug. 20. He's also recorded five multi-hit games over this recent stretch.
The 35-year-old is now hitting .261/.342/.480 on the season, and his 21 home runs lead all Blue Jays hitters.
