Alexander breaks left hand in Orioles’ 4th straight win, 8-2 over Royals

BALTIMORE–What happened? The Orioles were on their way to their fourth straight win for the first time this season. Samuel Basallo had just homered to increase their lead to 8-2 when Kansas City Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg hit Orioles super utility player Blaze Alexander with a pitch that broke his left hand.

Alexander took a few steps toward Erceg and both benches and bullpens briefly emptied. Manager Craig Albernaz immediately came out to get in front of Alexander to steer him back to the Orioles’ dugout and prevent any escalation. He had Coby Mayo pinch-run for Alexander, and after the Orioles’ win was complete, he delivered the news that Alexander would miss significant time with a non-displaced fracture of his left hand.

“It hurts, but also, he has a good attitude about it,” Albernaz said. He doesn’t know how long Alexander will be out.

“No, not yet,” he said. “Obviously, we got the imaging and he’s going to see the doctor over the All-Star break, so more information there.”

Alexander has filled in for the injured Jordan Westburg at third base and also has played second base, shortstop and the three outfield spots. He’s hitting .312 with an .807 OPS.

With Westburg out for the season after Tommy John surgery, the Orioles  will take the four-day All-Star break to contemplate replacements for Alexander, whose value has increased since the season began.

“Absolutely, especially how Blaze has been playing on both sides of the ball, especially the way he’s swinging the bat ..  But our guys show we’re resilient. Blaze will be around and see where he’s at rehab-wise and go from there. But, yeah, definitely a gut punch.”

How did the Orioles win their fourth straight? It took until the All-Star break for the Orioles to win four straight games, and it took until the sixth inning for them to break open Sunday’s game.

The Orioles had won three straight games seven times this season, and each time lost in their try for four in a row.

With both starting pitchers long gone, the Orioles scored five runs in the sixth inning to beat the Royals, 8-2, before 31,355 at Camden Yards.

Matt Strahm (3-3), who gave up Basallo’s game-winning, two-run home run on Friday night, allowed five runs  in the sixth as Orioles (46-51) took a 7-2 lead.

Alexander walked with one out, and pinch-hitter Tyler O’Neill’s fly ball to right was lost in the sun by Jac Caglianone for a single. Leody Taveras, who hit a two-run home run in the second, singled to score Alexander.

Pinch-hitter Jeremiah Jackson hit a ground-rule double to score O’Neill. Strahm balked Taveras for the third run, and Gunnar Henderson’s tapper off the plate scored Jackson. Pete Alonso drove in Henderson with a single to right to give the Orioles a five-run lead.

Anthony Nunez, Grant Wolfram (2-2), Yennier Cano, Rico Garcia and Andrew Kittredge combined for 4 1/3 innings against Kansas City (38-59), which lost for the fifth straight time.

“It was a good four-game stretch, good series,” Albernaz said. “The first two games against the Cubs in the homestand were tough and the boys responded. Good series against the Royals.

“They’re a gritty team with some really talented players, and our guys did a great job this whole series. Pitching was outstanding. Defense was good overall. Some hiccups but good overall, good when it needed to be. And the bats were strong these four games, which was awesome to see.”

Basallo’s 16^th home run against Lucas Erceg made it 8-2 and moments later, Erceg hit Alexander.

“I was telling him after I hit him, no ill intent there,” Erceg said.

The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Josh Rojas reached on Alexander’s throwing error at third.  He scored on Isaac Collins’ triple to the right field corner.

Taveras’ fourth home run, which traveled 448 feet, the longest of his career, scored Alexander and gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead against Seth Lugo in the bottom of the second.

Lane Thomas’ RBI single scored Bobby Witt Jr., who doubled off Shane Baz in the top of the third, to tie the score, 2-2.

Baz allowed two runs, one unearned, on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out nine without walking a batter.

What will the Orioles do without Alexander? Mayo will likely play the majority of the time at third base. Jeremiah Jackson can play there, too.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who’s hitting well at Triple-A Norfolk, could be called up. So could utility infielder Luis Vázquez, who’s not on the 40-man roster.

“Blaze has been doing it this year,” Alonso said. “I mean, offensively, defensively, like what he brings, not just from a performance, but like energy every single day, and then from like the versatility from his skill set, you’re able to plug and play pretty much anywhere on the dirt in the infield, and then also like he can play outfield when needed.

“So losing him, not just like his skill set, but also losing the performance night in night out. Yeah, it’s a tough one. I’ve had broken hands before, so I know that’s kind of going to be a not an easy pill to swallow. It’s really frustrating, but I hope he has a really quick and speedy recovery.”

Baz appreciates what Alexander has brought to the team.

“It’s kind of a reminder to just don’t take any days for granted,” Baz said. “You know, it’s nothing he did wrong. You know, there’s nothing he can control there. It’s just bad luck. It sucks, but I think everyone believes that we have the pieces to step up and pick him up for this time. It’s super unfortunate.”

How strong does the team look?  The Orioles are five games under .500. They’ll have to continue to play well in the three-game series at Houston and Boston after the break. They’ve won six of nine games entering the break.

“I think we did a we did a good job of rising to the occasion in that short little window,” Alonso said. “But it takes a long time to have a good season. It takes a long time – 162 games to kind of unfold, and I think the biggest thing is just staying the course. It’s not about how you start it’s about how you finish.”

What does it mean? Alxander has been a huge addition to the Orioles, and his injury couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

What’s the stat of the day? 4. Alexander reached base four times. He singled twice and walked before he was hit by a pitch.

What’s the word? “That’s tough for us to hear that. God will give us the acknowledgment to help him to realize he will be all right and he will be back with us.”-Taveras on Alexander

What’s going on at the draft? The Orioles began the second and final day of the draft by selecting shortstop Jimmy Anderson in the fifth round. They drafted the Heartland Community College player in the 19^th round last year, but he didn’t sign.

In the sixth round, they took Alabama left-hander Zane Adams. Right-handed pitcher Ryan Piech was taken in the seventh round. Will Plunkett, a Mamaroneck, New York high school shortstop, went in the eighth round. Right-handed pitcher Collin McKinney was the ninth-round selection, and utility player Carlos Sanchez, from LSU Shreveport, was the pick in the 10^th round.

Coastal Carolina right-hander Ross Norman (11^th), high school catcher Leo Marrero (12), Brigham Young right-hander Garrison Sumner (13), Mercer right-hander Miguel Hugas (14) Central Florida right-hander Braden Smith (15), high school shortstop Brayden Fry (16) and San Diego right-hander Diego Gutierrez (17) were also chosen. There are 20 rounds.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Double-A Chesapeake left-hander Joseph Dzierwa retired the only batter he faced and High-A Frederick designated hitter Ike Irish struck out and walked as the American League Futures team beat the National League, 6-1.

Dom Keegan hit a three-run triple to lead Chesapeake past Akron, 7-4.

Dzierwa threw two pitches and retired Rainel Rodriguez on a fly to left field.

JT Quinn allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings and Patrick Reilly gave up four runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings in Frederick’s 10-6 loss to Jersey Shore.

Outfielder RJ Austin was removed from the Keys’ game after he was hit by a pitch.

Norfolk’s game with Syracuse was canceled due to unplayable field conditions.

What’s next? After the All-Star break, the Orioles will visit the Houston Astros. Starting pitchers have not been announced. Game time on Friday is 8:10 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com