Alonso homer sends Orioles past Blue Jays 4-2 in doubleheader opener

Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, and Baltimore beat Toronto 4-2 in the first game of Wednesday's split doubleheader at Camden Yards. The loss eliminated the Blue Jays from postseason contention, according to the Associated Press.

Baltimore built its lead in two steps. Jeremiah Jackson singled home Christian Encarnacion-Strand in the second, and Colton Cowser scored later in the inning while Jackson was caught stealing second. Alonso's 41st homer of the season, with Dylan Beavers aboard in the fifth, made it 4-0. MLB's official game video shows the Alonso swing that created the winning margin.

Chris Bassitt held Toronto scoreless through five innings. The Blue Jays put two runs on the board in the sixth when Brandon Valenzuela's infield single and a throwing error by Jackson brought Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer home. Baltimore's bullpen kept the lead, and Andrew Kittredge finished the ninth for the save.

Max Scherzer allowed four runs on five hits in five innings, striking out seven. BaltimoreBaseball.com reported that it was the veteran right-hander's 500th career major-league appearance. Bassitt, facing Scherzer in a game with late-season consequences for Toronto, got the win despite the sixth-inning rally.

The four-run lead mattered because Baltimore managed only five hits of its own. Alonso supplied two runs with one swing, and the Orioles protected the remaining margin after Toronto's only scoring inning. The clubs returned to the field Wednesday evening for Game 2.