MIAMI — The Baltimore Orioles had a golden opportunity to complete a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon, but a costly error in the ninth inning turned triumph into heartbreak. A 4-3 loss at loanDepot park left the Orioles (17-21) wondering what might have been after they battled back from an early deficit.

The drama unfolded in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied 3-3. Reliever Andrew Kittredge, who had been part of five scoreless innings from the bullpen, allowed a two-out double to Marlins catcher Joe Mack. That brought up Javier Sanoja, who hit a routine ground ball to third baseman Coby Mayo. The ball took an awkward hop, Mayo bobbled it, and his rushed throw sailed in front of first baseman Pete Alonso. Alonso couldn't scoop it, and Sanoja raced home with the winning run, sending the Marlins' dugout into celebration.

The Orioles' comeback effort was valiant. Trailing 3-0 after the first inning—thanks to a home run by Miami's Liam Hicks and an RBI single from former Oriole Connor Norby—Baltimore chipped away. Starter Cade Povich was pulled early with left forearm discomfort, but the bullpen held the Marlins scoreless for the next five innings, giving the offense time to work.

Gunnar Henderson drove in Mayo with a single in the third, and Samuel Basallo doubled and scored on a Tyler O'Neill base hit in the fourth, cutting the lead to 3-2. The game stayed that way until the eighth, when Taylor Ward walked and Dylan Beavers singled. Alonso, riding an eight-game hitting streak, delivered a clutch RBI single to tie the game and give the Orioles new life.

But Baltimore couldn't capitalize on several prime opportunities. Alonso struck out with the bases loaded in the third and later hit a deep fly ball that died at the warning track. In the eighth, after Alonso's game-tying hit, the Orioles had runners on first and second with no outs, but Basallo grounded into a double play, and O'Neill flied out to end the threat.

For a team fighting to climb above .500, these are the kinds of games that sting the most. The Orioles showed resilience, but defensive miscues and missed chances at the plate proved costly. As they pack their bags for the next series, they'll be left thinking about the one that got away.