Pete Alonso gave the Orioles exactly the kind of week that turns a lineup around, and now he’s got the hardware to show for it.
Alonso was named American League Player of the Week after blistering the ball at a .546 clip, going 12-for-22 with two home runs, five RBIs and a 1.494 OPS. It’s the first time the Orioles have had an AL Player of the Week in nearly two years, and Alonso is the first Oriole to win the award since Gunnar Henderson on September 9, 2024.
The honor is the sixth Player of the Week award of Alonso’s career. He collected five National League Player of the Week awards during his time with the New York Mets, doing it in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. That run also makes him the 12th player to win a Player of the Week award in five straight seasons.
Alonso’s production came with real consistency, too. He put together multiple-hit games in four straight contests, becoming the first Oriole to do that this season.
The 31-year-old first baseman also helped push the Orioles into the third American League wild-card spot after they won three straight against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays and Orioles meet again Monday night.
The hot streak fits right into a bigger picture that has Alonso on a long, durable run. He has played in 541 consecutive games and is hitting .266 with an .851 OPS, 27 home runs and 80 RBIs.
Looking ahead, the Orioles open a three-game series with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. Shane Baz, who is 4-12 with a 4.00 ERA, is scheduled to start against Carlos Rodón, who is 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA.
Rodón will be making his first start since June 28 after missing time with right elbow inflammation. The Yankees had originally planned to start Will Warren.
Chris Bassitt and Kyle Bradish will pitch the other two games of the series.
Elsewhere in the system, Double-A Chesapeake left-hander Joseph Dzierwa was named the Eastern League’s Pitcher of the Week.
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There are signs that help is indeed getting closer. Chris Bassitt is back in the mix, and the Orioles have several injured pieces either returning or nearing a return as the homestand continues, giving the front office and clubhouse something tangible to lean on while the standings remain tight. For a team that does not need to pull away so much as stay attached, the next few days could matter almost as much as the last week did. [Read more 🡒]