It was a double-dose of tough news for Orioles fans on Wednesday, as the team not only dropped a frustrating game to the Nationals but also lost one of their key infielders for the season.

Let's start with the game itself—a classic case of making a struggling pitcher look like an ace. Zack Littel entered the series opener with an ERA hovering near seven, but you wouldn't have known it from how he carved through Baltimore's lineup. For five innings, the veteran right-hander shut down the O's bats, leaving fans scratching their heads. It wasn't until the ninth inning that the offense finally showed some life.

And what a chance they had. With the bases loaded and their best hitter, Adley Rutschman, at the plate, the Orioles were one swing away from taking the lead. But baseball can be cruel. Rutschman fell behind in the count and was caught looking on a half-swing, ending the game and sealing a frustrating loss.

As if that wasn't enough, the day started with a gut punch off the field. Jordan Westburg, the team's promising third baseman, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. While the news didn't come as a complete shock—reports about his rehab had been increasingly concerning—it still stings. Westburg's absence leaves a gaping hole in an already struggling offense.

The Orioles had already been experimenting with Jackson Holliday at third base, which now looks like a move made with Westburg's situation in mind. But the team can't be thrilled with what they've seen from Coby Mayo, either. The hot corner has become a revolving door, and while Weston Wilson has been mentioned as a potential stopgap, he's unlikely to be the long-term answer.

It's just another chapter in what has been a season full of unexpected twists for Mike Elias and the Orioles. Some of it is bad luck—like the injuries to Westburg and Holliday—but the team is running out of time to find solutions. For now, Baltimore fans are left wondering what could have been, and hoping for a turnaround before it's too late.