WEST SACRAMENTO -- After a scary situation involving one of their biggest stars, the Orioles appear to have dodged a major bullet.
Pete Alonso was hit in the helmet by a 94.6 mph fastball in the eighth inning of Sunday’s series finale against the Athletics, drawing a large gasp from the crowd at Sutter Health Park.
Alonso went down to the dirt and was visited by team trainers, but soon got back up and walked to first base under his own power. Seeming to be in good spirits despite the beaning, he was nevertheless replaced by pinch-runner Jackson Holliday.
Alonso was 1-for-2 with a single, a walk and two runs scored before being hit. Baltimore’s prized free-agent acquisition has been scorching hot after a slow start to the season, with his .966 OPS since the All-Star break ranking fourth among all hitters with at least 150 plate appearances in that span.
The first baseman, who has been dealing with a sore right calf dating back to a mid-August road series against the Rays, was struck on the brim of his helmet rather than being caught flush, potentially saving him from a more serious injury.