WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Orioles have their spark plug back for the stretch run.
Utility man Blaze Alexander was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Alexander had been out since suffering a left hand fracture on a July 12 hit-by-pitch, a big blow to Baltimore’s lineup.
The 27-year-old was thrown right back into the action after being activated, leading off and playing shortstop in Friday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the A’s. Batting .310 with a .798 OPS in 83 games this season, Alexander has been one of the Orioles’ most dynamic hitters and a key part of their clubhouse energy.
“It’s a shot of life for us, especially coming down the stretch here,” manager Craig Albernaz said before Friday’s game. “We’ve missed Blaze, and now that we have him back, hopefully he’s a great engine boost for us.”
Alexander went 1-for-5 in the Orioles’ extra-inning victory, a stat line that belied his quality of contact: He had three hard-hit balls that all went for outs, not counting an 87.8 mph lineout snared by A’s first baseman Jeff McNeil to lead off the 10th.
“He looked like he didn’t miss any time,” Albernaz said. “That’s a credit to him, the medical staff and the strength and conditioning staff keeping him in shape, keeping him game ready.”
Alexander’s versatility has perhaps been just as valuable as his offensive production: He has played every defensive position except for catcher, pitcher and first base. Alexander has seen the most time at third base, where the Orioles were already in good shape with Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
On Friday, Alexander’s return allowed Baltimore another luxury: giving shortstop Gunnar Henderson a rare day off. Henderson had been in the Orioles’ starting lineup for 133 of the club’s first 134 games, with his only off-day coming back on May 3 at Yankee Stadium. When Albernaz texted Henderson on Thursday night to let him know of the impending rest day against A’s lefty Jacob Lopez, the shortstop certainly understood.
“Obviously, he wants to play,” Albernaz said. “He’s a competitor. But he will definitely take a day off.”
That’s something the Orioles can now afford with Alexander back on the roster. With a 12-1 lead, Baltimore was able to remove first baseman Pete Alonso -- battling a sore right calf -- from Tuesday’s series opener in St. Louis after just four defensive innings, but Henderson wasn’t so lucky.
“We couldn’t get Gunnar off his feet because we didn’t have the extra infielder. Now, with Blaze being here, he can play shortstop,” Albernaz said. “To me, it was a great time to get Gunnar a day off and just have him take a breather. Everyone’s banged up right now. Gunnar’s been playing shortstop for us every day, so it just felt right to give him a day.”
Alexander, who is fresh off a pair of rehab games for Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and Wednesday, is ready to help spark an Orioles club that entered Friday just three games out of an American League Wild Card spot. He showed that in his very first rehab contest, making an acrobatic flip tag at third base to cut down a runner stealing. The next day, Alexander went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a 103.1 mph double.
He showed off his hustle on Friday in his return to the Majors, sprinting down the line on a 47 mph cue shot that ricocheted off the first-base bag and securing his infield single with an impressive headfirst dive across the base.
It wasn’t exactly necessary -- the A’s had no chance to get the out at first base -- but it was Alexander in a nutshell.
“He’s a gamer,” Albernaz said. “That’s the best way to describe him. Loves to play the game. Loves every aspect of it. To me, it shows out on the field, and it’s just infectious in the clubhouse. He attacked the rehab process in a great way. Typical Blaze.”