Caleb Joseph breaks bat in half after bases-loaded strikeout

As the Orioles’ playoff hopes have all but faded, frustration is setting in with Baltimore’s players.

Just take a look at Caleb Joseph’s reaction after striking out in a big spot in Monday’s 8-6 loss to the New York Yankees.

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Down by three runs in the eighth inning, Joseph had a chance to be the hero. He stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded to face All-Star reliever Dellin Betances. Joseph worked the count to 3-2, but couldn’t deliver in the end, swinging right through an 84 mph slurve from Betances to end the inning and let the Yankees off the hook.

Someone was going to pay for what happened. In this case, that someone was his bat.

First, Joseph smashed the bat with all his might into the ground, causing it to splinter, but not completely snap. Then, he finished the job with the classic Bo Jackson inspired bat-over-knee break. That’s one way to let your anger out.

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A terrible August has completely removed the Orioles from the postseason picture. In just over a month’s time, Baltimore has gone from holding a wild-card spot, to now being seven games below .500 and tied with the Boston Red Sox for last place in the American League East. The O’s are now 7.5 back from a wild-card spot and would have to leapfrog six teams to get there. 

Joseph’s unexpected attack on his bat is just representative of how he and his teammates are feeling lately.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr