3 ways the Orioles blew Tuesday's game vs. Blue Jays

First things first: Toronto Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez cruised through seven hitless innings against the Baltimore Orioles, issuing only four walks and a hit-by-pitch before taking the mound again in the eighth with a 1-0 lead.

The Orioles threatened, tied the game, and then failed to keep their feet on the gas, eventually losing 2-1. But it wasn't simply one thing that sunk this team; at least three key moments played a role in the Orioles losing a game they probably should have won, despite Sanchez's outstanding pitching performance.

The errant throw

With Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak standing on second in the eighth inning, Yangervis Solarte lined a single to right field. Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander made an off-target throw, sending the ball into the visitor's dugout, automatically allowing Smoak to score.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

Maybe Santander forgot who was on second base. Normally, a line shot to the outfield stands a decent chance to result in a play at the plate, but there is no reality in which Smoak tests this. Last season, Smoak was the slowest player who wasn't a catcher or designated hitter, according to Baseball Savant.

If Santander throws to the cut-off man, the run doesn't score and the Orioles have a chance to escape unscathed. However, the Orioles entered the bottom of the inning trailing, without a base hit to their names.

Failing to capitalize when it mattered most

Kudos to Tim Beckham, Santander, and Chance Sisco for opening their half of the eighth with consecutive base hits. Beckham scored on Sisco's double to tie matters with two runners in scoring position and none out.

Yeah, about that.

Scoring only one run in this scenario is sub-optimal at best and embarrassing at worst. Sanchez, who oddly stayed in the game at this point, induced a shallow fly ball before intentionally walking Manny Machado and getting Jonathan Schoop to hit into an inning-ending double play. Those who believe in fate may point to this moment as a sign that things weren't going to end well for the Orioles on Tuesday night. Perhaps they're right.

It's emblematic of the biggest problem plaguing the Orioles this season: the inability to score. Despite boasting a roster of Machado, Chris Davis, and Schoop, among others, the Orioles have only scored 39 runs through 12 games while allowing 63 (only the Miami Marlins have surrendered more runs).

O'Day serves up a meatball for Curtis Granderson

Oof. You can't throw that there.

Orioles reliever Darren O'Day retired the first two batters he faced on two pitches, and then Curtis Granderson came to the dish. O'Day made a mistake with location and Granderson didn't miss it.

Granted, if the Orioles managed to score more than a single run in the previous frame, this scenario probably doesn't come to fruition.

Like with most games, it wasn't simply one thing that lost the Orioles the game. And pointing the finger solely at their mistakes would be a disservice to how efficient and sharp Sanchez was on the mound. In a game when every play counts like this, one mistake can derail things momentarily, and three mistakes is a death sentence.