Pete Alonso was limping and struggling in the 10th inning while running to first base, a gut-punch for the Baltimore Orioles right after they ripped two straight wins from the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays. This guy has been absolutely instrumental in those crucial wins, so seeing him hobbled definitely had the entire fanbase holding its breath. What’s worse than seeing your power bat go down when you’re just starting to heat up? Not much, if you ask me.
Alonso Says He’s Played Through Worse, But We’re Watching
The concern around Alonso’s right calf cramp was immediate, but the man himself was quick to downplay it. He told reporters, “I’ve hobbled around before in my career, played through worse. It is what it is. Just got to stay on top of some work, and it is what it is. Feel fine, feel good. Got a game in maybe like 18 hours or so, so I’ve got to do whatever I can to get ready for that. I’m in good hands, I feel good. I’m going to be in there tomorrow.” You gotta love that grit, right? He sounds like a guy who’s just shrugging off a stubbed toe, not a cramp that made him visibly struggle mid-game. That “it is what it is” repeated twice? That’s classic Alonso, just focused on the next game.
The big question now is whether he’ll actually be at first base or if the Orioles will play it safe. There’s a real possibility Alonso could get the day off from first and instead slide into the DH spot for the third game of the series on August 16. It’s a smart move if they want to keep his bat in the lineup without risking further injury on the base paths or in the field.
The Iron Man Streak and Those High Wildcard Stakes
Alonso is an absolute iron man, having hit the 500 consecutive game mark in late June. Right now, he’s sitting at an insane 537 straight games played since June 18, 2023. Think about that for a second. In an era where players get rest days for just about everything, Alonso is out there, day in and day out. While he’s not exactly on pace to catch Cal Ripken Jr.’s legendary 2,632 games, 537 straight is seriously impressive. It’s actually the second-longest consecutive game streak among all active players, only behind Matt Olson with his 903 games. That kind of consistent availability and toughness is invaluable.
And the Orioles are going to need every ounce of that. They need Alonso’s leadership on the field and in the clubhouse if they’re going to make a serious run for a wildcard spot. Why is it so crucial? Because the AL wildcard race is an absolute dogfight right now. We’re talking about a five-way tie for the final AL MLB wildcard spot. Every game, every at-bat, every run, every single play matters. Losing a leader like Alonso, even for a day or limited to DH, could change the whole dynamic. The next game on August 16 is going to be big, with everyone watching to see if Alonso indeed “hobbles around” or truly looks “fine” in that DH spot.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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