BALTIMORE -- Pete Alonso is here in Baltimore for many reasons -- to be a veteran leader in the clubhouse, to help the Orioles win games and to be a prolific hitter in the heart of the team’s lineup, of course. The Polar Bear is a slugger with prodigious power, a strong hit tool and the ability to come through in key moments.
That’s what Alonso did Sunday afternoon for his first big moment with the O’s.
In a tie game in the bottom of the seventh inning, Alonso knocked a go-ahead RBI single and sparked a three-run rally that sent Baltimore to an 8-6 win over Minnesota at Camden Yards. The 31-year-old reached base three times (2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a walk) in helping the O’s (2-1) secure a season-opening series victory.
Tyler O’Neill got the Orioles’ offense going early with a three-run homer in the fourth, trimming the Twins’ early lead to 4-3. Dylan Beavers hit a two-run double in the sixth, while the seventh also featured an RBI double by Adley Rutschman and an RBI single from Coby Mayo.
But it was Alonso’s hit off right-hander Mick Abel that stood out most. Let’s break it down.
The first-pitch foul
When the at-bat began, Alonso thought he had a chance to pounce on the first pitch. Abel left a 94.8 mph sinker near the bottom of the strike zone, and Alonso swung. But he was slightly late, fouling it off into the seats near the right-field corner.
“I had a really good swing,” said Alonso, who signed a five-year, $155 million deal in December. “Just missed.”
But it allowed Alonso to settle in and understand the approach he wanted to take from there.
Three balls (including a challenge) and a strike
Abel clearly didn’t want to leave another pitch over the heart of the zone against Alonso, who came up aggressively. So the 24-year-old righty attempted to paint the upper-outside corner of the zone from there.
On the second pitch (a 95.1 mph four-seam fastball), Abel missed outside for a ball. He then came back inside on the third pitch (a 94.6 mph sinker) to get Alonso off the plate a bit.
“He was trying to establish that outer lane. I didn’t think he wanted to come in right there,” Alonso said. “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.’”
The fourth pitch (a 95.3 mph four-seamer) was in nearly the exact same spot as the second, except this one was called a strike. So, Alonso challenged it, using the new ABS system for the first time this season -- and he was successful, overturning it to a ball.
That set the count to 3-1 and put Alonso in a prime position to be in control.
“I’m really fortunate that we have it. 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,” Alonso said. “Just happy I was able to convert the challenge right there to get back in an offensive count.”
Abel threw a similar pitch on 3-1, but he clipped the outer part of the zone for a strike to make it 3-2. Alonso tilted his head slightly, though he realized it was likely a strike, opting not to challenge again (the correct decision).
The hit
Alonso knew the full-count offering would be outside -- he just didn’t realize how far outside. Abel’s 86.7 mph slider was over the chalk of the opposite batter’s box when Alonso reached out his bat and got enough of it to poke a 70.1 mph flare over the head of a leaping Luke Keaschall at second base and into shallow right-center field.
Taylor Ward scored from second as the O’s took the lead and didn’t look back.
“I was just happy to get enough on it to flick one over,” Alonso said. “Abel is a good arm, he was executing pitches, and for me, I was just really stoked to come through right there for the team.”
The team enjoyed it, too.
“When they’re staying that way, that’s when you know they’re kind of feeling better at the plate, not too jumpy,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “With Pete coming through right there, going the other way with that, was huge for us.”
“It was awesome to see him get a couple knocks today,” O’Neill said. “Hopefully, more tomorrow.”