The Baltimore Orioles kicked off their nine-game road trip with an impressive 13-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night. First baseman Pete Alonso led the charge, going 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Alonso hit his 31st home run of the season in the fourth inning, a 435-foot shot to left center that brought in Leody Taveras and Jackson Holliday.
The Orioles scored all their runs between the third and sixth innings of the game, according to Yahoo Sports. In the fifth inning, the team surged ahead with eight runs on seven hits, two walks, and a hit by pitch. Holliday and Alonso opened the inning with consecutive singles, followed by Gunnar Henderson walking to load the bases. Coby Mayo knocked in Holliday with a single into left field, and then the Cardinals had to bring in three different pitchers.
The Orioles sent 13 batters to the plate during that inning and never let up on their offensive pressure. Anthony Encarnacion-Strand delivered a two-run single that scored Alonso and Henderson after the new pitcher was brought in. Christian Franklin was hit by a pitch to reload the bases before Dylan Beavers walked in another run.
Leody Taveras then singled in two more runs to cap off the scoring for the night. That eight-run effort in the fifth inning was the most productive frame of the 2026 Orioles season, and they managed it without even hitting a home run.
The Orioles collected 16 hits and two walks in total during the game. They went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position, leaving six men on base.
However, Gunnar Henderson and Leody Basallo combined to go 0-for-9 at the plate. Basallo struck out four times during the game and looked out of sync with his teammates.
Pete Alonso was dealing with a flare-up in his calf injury but still played well. He reportedly asked to be removed from the game once the score was out of reach in the fifth inning.
Despite his injury concerns, Alonso’s performance helped drive the Orioles to their most dominant win of the season by run differential. On the mound, Chris Bassitt delivered his best start since coming off the IL. He allowed just one run (a solo homer) on six hits, no walks, and five strikeouts over two innings.
Bassitt had his best velocity of the season during this outing. Yennier Cano pitched the final out of the seventh inning for the Orioles.
The team’s young right-hander Anthony Nunez also stood out with four different pitches and a high number of whiffs. Nunez showed potential that could make him a key part of the Orioles’ future.
The Orioles were also happy with the outcome as other teams in the wild card race lost. The two teams are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday night in St. Louis.
IMAGE: Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso prepares at the plate during a Major League Baseball game. DNR Art Department