Alonso’s key hit, Orioles’ timely challenges spark 8-6 win over Twins

BALTIMORE—What happened? Pete Alonso, who was signed by the Orioles for his power hitting, delivered a soft single that keyed a gritty comeback win on Sunday.

Alonso, who earned a five-year, $155 million contract based on his 264 home runs for the New York Mets, hasn’t homered yet for the Orioles but showed off his keen knowledge of the strike zone during the at-bat in a game marked by the use of the automated ball-strike system.

He successfully challenged a called strike from Minnesota reliever Mick Abel and lofted an RBI single to right that began a three-run rally that propeled the Orioles to an 8-6 win over the Twins before 18,071 at Camden Yards on Sunday.

“I’m just happy I was able to come through with guys in scoring position right there,” Alonso said. “I was just really stoked to come through right there for the team.”

Minnesota used Bailey Ober and Abel as piggyback starters. Ober allowed three runs in four innings. Abel gave up five in 3 1/3.

“So the 2-1 and 3-1 pitch, he was trying to establish that outer lane,” Alonso said. “I didn’t think he wanted to come in right there, because I had a really good swing on the sinker early in that at-bat, just missed, fouled off.

“Honestly, I was like, ‘OK, he’s trying to establish the outer lane here. I really need to hold my direction and really protect the outer part of the plate.’ And I was just happy to get enough on it to flick one over [the second baseman] for a single.”

Adley Rutschman, who wasn’t in the starting lineup, followed with an RBI double. Coby Mayo added a run-scoring single, and the Orioles led, 8-5, after seven.

The Orioles, who struck out 16 times on Saturday, struck out five times on Sunday and rallied from a 4-0 deficit. They scored only three runs in splitting the first two games against the Twins.

Minnesota scored four runs against Oriole starter Shane Baz in the second. After the Orioles rallied, they received clutch strikeouts with the bases loaded in the seventh and eighth from Rico Garcia and Yennier Cano.

“The guys in the ‘pen, they stepped up big,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Garcia, Cano, it really was a group effort. Those are the games that get grindy, where it’s back and forth like that, and to come out on top, using everyone, it was a great team win.”

Closer Ryan Helsley, who saved Thursday’s opener, successfully challenged a ball four call to Minnesota’s Josh Bell in the ninth, getting a strikeout instead. Twins manager Derek Shelton argued that Helsley waited too long to make the challenge and was ejected by home plate umpire Chris Segal.

Helsley’s challenge was the 10^th in a wild game. Seven calls were overturned.

After Bell’s strikeout, Victor Caratini followed with a ground ball to shortstop that could have ended the game, but Gunnar Henderson booted it for an error. James Outman followed with a fly ball to leftfielder Taylor Ward  to end the game.

Tyler O’Neill, whose streak of homering in six straight Opening Day games, ended on Thursday, hit a three-run homer on Kid’s Opening Day in the fourth inning. It brought the Orioles to within 4-3 and jumpstarted their dormant offense.

Dylan Beavers, who started in center field, hit a two-run double to put the Orioles ahead, 5-4. The Twins’ Royce Lewis, who homered on Thursday, tied it at 5 with a seventh-inning home run against Yaramil Hiraldo.

Garcia entered after Hiraldo walked the bases loaded and struck out Matt Wallner to end the Twins’ seventh.

Tyler Wells allowed a run in the eighth, and Cano entered with the bases loaded with two outs and struck out Byron Buxton.

The Orioles acquired left-handed pitcher Jayvien Sandridge from the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations. Sandridge has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Hagerstown native allowed a home run to Alonso in his only major league appearance for the New York Yankees last July 5^th.

They also traded for outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Cleveland in return for minor league reliever Carter Rustad. Rodriguez, who hit .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 44 games with the Guardians in 2024 and 2025, also was optioned to Norfolk.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster is full. 

How will the challenges affect the game? Alonso’s challenge was an important one. 

“I’m really fortunate that we have it,” he said. “I’m sure for everybody, we just want to get it for what it is, get the call for what it is or get the pitch result for whatever it is.

“I think it’s good for the game. And I think people in the crowd are obviously into it. It’s fun, you know? It’s a different type of baseball. It could be advantageous, but also, if you’re wrong, it could go against you. Just happy I was able to convert the challenge right there to get back in an offensive count.”

Albernaz thought the Orioles used their challenges well.

 “That was really impressive,” he said. “One, him using a challenge. I think our guys used the challenges really well today, even Helsley, which was a weird one It looks like Helsley didn’t know a ball was called.”

How did Baz pitch? In his first start as an Oriole, two days after he signed a five-year, $68 million extension, Baz allowed four runs — all in the second — on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out four without walking a batter. His week has been a hectic one.

“It’s been busy, but all for great stuff,” Baz said. “I feel really good about it, feel really confident about it. It’s been fun. It’s been a really fun week. Obviously, would have liked that second inning to go a little different, but other than that, it’s been unbelievable.”

Akin rehabbing: Left-handed reliever Keegan Akin, who’s on the 15-day injured list with a strained left groin, is optimistic about his recovery. Akin injured his groin while warming up for the Orioles’ final Grapefruit League game on March 21^st.

“I’m feeling a lot better,” Akin said. “Looking good so far.”

Akin isn’t sure when he’ll go on a rehab assignment.

“Don’t really know. It depends on how I feel in the next couple of days,” he said. “I’m trying to put some kind of timeline together.”

Akin said there was no discomfort before the injury.

“I joked about it. I said, ‘This is probably one of the best days I’ve felt all spring training,’ and this happened,” Akin said. “I’m going to push it a little bit and see where we’re at.” 

What does it mean? The ABS system will be a vital part of close games, and while it does slow the game slightly, it helps in getting calls correct. 

What’s the stat of the day? 1-for-15. Batters are 1-for-15 against Rico Garcia with the bases loaded. He’s recorded seven strikeouts.

What’s the word? “It just seemed like one of those days where everybody’s putting the ball in play on both sides and it was kind of who was going to blink first. Our bullpen did a great job of locking it down.”-Baz on the game. 

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Jackson Holliday played second base and was hitless in four at-bats in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-2 loss to Nashville. 

Designated hitter Maverick Handley was removed from the game after getting hit by a pitch on the left ankle.

What’s next? The Orioles will open a three-game series with the Texas Rangers on Monday night at 6:35. Chris Bassitt will start for the first time as an Oriole against Jack Leiter.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com