Orioles Explode for 13 Runs as Pete Alonso Hits No. 31, While Bautista and Alexander Begin Rehab Assignments

The Baltimore Orioles delivered one of their most complete offensive performances of the season Tuesday night, crushing the St. Louis Cardinals 13-1 behind a huge offensive explosion, a strong start from Chris Bassitt and another monster performance from Pete Alonso.

The victory moves Baltimore to 64-68 overall and 30-34 on the road, while the Cardinals fall to 66-67 and 32-35 at home. With the Orioles trying to stay alive in the American League Wild Card race, every win matters, and Tuesday's performance provided exactly what Baltimore needed.

The Orioles didn't just win.

They dominated.

Baltimore collected 16 hits, scored 13 runs and went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position. The Orioles also received 10 strikeouts from their pitching staff while limiting St. Louis to seven hits and one run.

The biggest offensive story was once again Alonso.

The Polar Bear launched his 31st home run of the season, a three-run blast that traveled an estimated 435 feet to left-center field. The homer scored Leody Taveras and Jackson Holliday and immediately gave Baltimore a three-run advantage.

For Alonso, it was another reminder of why the Orioles made him one of their biggest free-agent additions.

He finished the night 2-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and two runs scored. His four RBIs pushed his season total to 89, while his two hits helped ignite an Orioles offense that refused to slow down.

A Huge Third Inning

The Orioles started putting the game away in the third inning.

Holliday and Taveras reached base, setting the stage for Alonso.

The first baseman delivered.

Alonso crushed a pitch from Matthew Liberatore deep to left-center field, sending it an estimated 435 feet and giving Baltimore a 3-0 lead.

It was exactly the type of swing the Orioles hoped they would get when they signed Alonso.

Power.

Production.

And the ability to change the game with one swing.

The Orioles weren't finished.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand followed Alonso with a solo home run, his seventh of the season, giving Baltimore a 4-0 advantage.

The Cardinals answered with a home run from Nathan Church in the bottom of the inning, but that was about all the offense St. Louis could produce.

The Orioles immediately regained control.

The Fifth-Inning Explosion

If the third inning established control, the fifth inning ended any realistic chance of a Cardinals comeback.

Baltimore scored seven runs in the fifth inning, turning a 4-1 game into an 11-1 blowout.

Coby Mayo started the scoring with an RBI single that brought Holliday home.

Encarnacion-Strand followed with a two-run single that scored Alonso and Gunnar Henderson.

Then the Orioles kept the line moving.

Dylan Beavers drew a bases-loaded walk to score Mayo.

Taveras followed with a two-run single that brought home Encarnacion-Strand and Franklin.

Holliday then added another RBI single, scoring Beavers.

Alonso returned to the plate and delivered another big hit, doubling to left field and bringing Taveras home.

Seven runs.

One inning.

Game essentially over.

Baltimore's offense showed exactly what it is capable of when the lineup is producing throughout the order instead of relying on one or two hitters.

Dylan Beavers Continues to Heat Up

One of the most encouraging developments for Baltimore was another productive night from Dylan Beavers.

Beavers went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

He also continued his recent power surge.

The young outfielder has been providing Baltimore with another dangerous left-handed bat, and his ability to contribute at the bottom portion of the lineup gives the Orioles additional depth.

Beavers' sixth-inning double brought Franklin home and gave Baltimore its 13th and final run of the night.

The Orioles finished with 16 hits, and Beavers was one of several hitters who delivered multiple hits.

That balance is important as Baltimore heads toward the final weeks of the regular season.

Holliday Makes an Impact

Jackson Holliday also had a productive night.

He finished 2-for-6 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Holliday was involved throughout the game, reaching base and helping create opportunities for the middle of the order.

His ability to get on base ahead of Alonso is particularly important.

When Holliday and other hitters can consistently reach base, Alonso gets opportunities to drive them home.

That was exactly what happened Tuesday.

Alonso's three-run homer came with runners on base, and his fifth-inning double added another RBI.

That's the kind of lineup protection Baltimore needs.

Encarnacion-Strand Provides More Power

Christian Encarnacion-Strand also had a big night.

He finished 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored.

His seventh home run came immediately after Alonso's blast in the third inning, giving Baltimore back-to-back home runs and creating an early four-run advantage.

Later, his two-run single helped blow the game open.

Encarnacion-Strand finished with three RBIs, giving the Orioles another middle-of-the-order threat.

The combination of Alonso, Encarnacion-Strand, Mayo and Beavers gives Baltimore several hitters capable of producing extra-base hits.

That could become increasingly important as the Wild Card race tightens.

Chris Bassitt Delivers

While the offense received most of the attention, Chris Bassitt quietly delivered one of his better starts.

Bassitt pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking nobody.

He threw 99 pitches, 71 for strikes.

That efficiency allowed Bassitt to work deep into the game while keeping the Cardinals from generating any sustained rally.

His only blemish came when Church hit a solo homer in the third inning.

Other than that, Bassitt controlled the game.

He earned the victory to improve to 5-4, and his performance was exactly what Baltimore needed.

When an offense scores 13 runs, the starting pitcher doesn't need to be perfect.

Bassitt was more than good enough.

Bullpen Finishes the Job

Once Bassitt exited, the Orioles bullpen completed the game without allowing St. Louis back into it.

Yennier Cano recorded one out and allowed no hits or runs.

Anthony Nunez then handled the final two innings, allowing one hit while striking out five.

That was another encouraging part of the victory.

The Orioles didn't have to use a large number of relievers in a blowout, and Nunez was able to finish the game while giving the rest of the bullpen an opportunity to rest.

That could be important with Baltimore entering a critical portion of the schedule.

The Biggest Transaction of the Day

The victory came with another major piece of Orioles news.

Baltimore announced that third baseman Blaze Alexander and right-handed pitcher Félix Bautista were sent to Norfolk on rehab assignments.

For Orioles fans, Bautista's name immediately stands out.

His potential return could dramatically change Baltimore's bullpen.

Bautista is one of the most dominant relievers the Orioles have had in recent years, and getting him back for the stretch run could be enormous if Baltimore remains within striking distance of the Wild Card.

The rehab assignment is another step in that process.

It doesn't mean Bautista is immediately returning to Baltimore, but it represents meaningful progress.

The Orioles now have an opportunity to see how he performs in game action before determining the next step.

For a team fighting to stay alive, his return could potentially provide a significant boost.

Alexander's rehab assignment is also important because Baltimore continues to evaluate its options around the infield.

The Orioles have been dealing with roster changes throughout the season, and having another option at third base could give the organization additional flexibility.

The Wild Card Race

That's ultimately what makes Tuesday's victory so important.

The Orioles are 64-68.

There isn't much room for error.

Every loss makes the climb more difficult.

Every win keeps the possibility alive.

The Orioles aren't in a position where they can simply wait for other teams to lose. Baltimore needs to keep winning and hope the teams ahead of them begin to stumble.

Tuesday was exactly the kind of game the Orioles needed.

They scored early.

They scored often.

They received quality starting pitching.

They finished strong.

And they didn't have to rely on their bullpen for an extended period.

The 13-1 victory also gives Baltimore momentum heading into the next game.

The Offense Is Showing Signs of Life

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that Baltimore's offense looked dangerous from top to bottom.

The Orioles recorded 16 hits.

Alonso had two.

Holliday had two.

Encarnacion-Strand had two.

Franklin had two.

Beavers had two.

Taveras had two.

That's six players with multiple hits.

That is what a complete offensive performance looks like.

The Orioles also produced three home runs, with Alonso and Encarnacion-Strand providing the early power and Church supplying St. Louis' lone homer.

Baltimore's ability to score without relying exclusively on the long ball was equally encouraging.

The Orioles manufactured runs through singles, doubles, walks and productive at-bats with runners in scoring position.

They went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position, an outstanding night in that department.

Pete Alonso Is Becoming Exactly What Baltimore Wanted

Alonso's 31st homer deserves special attention.

When Baltimore signed the Polar Bear, the expectation was simple.

Bring power.

Drive in runs.

Change games.

Alonso is doing exactly that.

His 31 home runs and 89 RBIs demonstrate the type of middle-of-the-order production Baltimore wanted when it brought him to town.

Tuesday's performance was another example.

He didn't simply hit a solo homer.

He came up with runners on base and drove them home.

Later, he delivered another extra-base hit to bring home another run.

That's impact.

That's production.

And that's why Alonso could be one of the most important pieces of Baltimore's offense as the Wild Card race reaches its most important stage.

What Tuesday Means

The Orioles still have work to do.

A 64-68 record means there is no guarantee of a postseason berth.

But Tuesday showed that this team still has plenty of fight.

Baltimore's offense looked explosive.

Bassitt delivered.

The bullpen finished.

And the organization received encouraging news about Bautista and Alexander beginning rehab assignments.

Now the challenge is consistency.

One 13-run performance isn't enough.

The Orioles need to string wins together.

They need their offense to continue producing.

They need their starting pitching to keep giving them chances.

And they need their injured players to return healthy.

The Wild Card race isn't going to wait.

Baltimore has to make its move now.

Tuesday's 13-1 victory over St. Louis was a statement that the Orioles aren't ready to surrender the season.

With Alonso launching his 31st home run, Beavers continuing to swing a hot bat, Bassitt delivering a quality start and Bautista beginning his rehab assignment, Baltimore suddenly has several reasons for optimism.

The Orioles still have a mountain to climb.

But if they continue playing like they did Tuesday night, Birdland may not be ready to give up on October just yet.