The Baltimore Orioles won their third straight on the road against the Athletics on Sunday , completing the sweep and winning five of six games on this road trip. Their ability to stack wins has them right on the cusp of holding the third and final American League wild card spot.
They will have a chance to keep the pressure on the Cleveland Guardians this upcoming week as they travel to Coors Field to take on the Colorado Rockies, entering Monday just one game back of Cleveland.
During Sunday's win the Orioles offense was on full display, which has been the story of August and has kept them alive in the playoff race. However, there was a scary moment involving their best hitter, first baseman Pete Alonso .
Alonso was drilled in the helmet by a 95 mph fastball in the top of the eighth inning. He got up on his own and walked to first base, but after a brief discussion with manager Craig Albernaz and the training staff he was replaced by Jackson Holliday, who pinch-ran for him.
Any physical setback for Alonso at this stage would be devastating for Baltimore's playoff hopes. Fortunately, it appears he avoided anything serious.
Albernaz spoke with reporters after the game and delivered a reassuring update. "Jackie was already ready to run, and Pete was fine, came out fine. He was typical Pete in the dugout, so he'll be fine," Albernaz said ( h/t Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun ).
Alonso should be right back in the lineup on Monday, likely still as the designated hitter. He has been playing DH recently to manage a calf issue while keeping his bat in the lineup, because Baltimore simply cannot afford to remove it.
In the first year of his five-year, $155 million contract, Alonso has lived up to expectations. After a slow start he has been as durable as ever, playing in all 137 Orioles games this season. He has posted a .270 batting average, .360 on-base percentage, .863 OPS, 32 home runs and 91 RBIs.
He is the sole reason the offense has stayed relevant this year, especially with a down season from shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Even after the All-Star break, the Orioles looked like they might fold entirely after trading fan favorite catcher Adley Rutschman and outfielder Taylor Ward. Alonso has made it clear this team intends to fight until the very last out of the regular season.
