​BALTIMORE (AP) — The sting of a disappointing, uneven start to the season was plainly visible Sunday for both the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals. An errant pitch from Royals reliever Lucas Erceg that struck Orioles infielder Blaze Alexander on the left hand sparked chaos near home plate in the seventh inning of Baltimore’s 8-2 win. When the ball clipped Alexander, both dugouts and bullpens emptied, and players from both sides raced onto the field as the melee unfolded in front of the plate.
Both teams were coming off rough starts to the year, and the moment when Erceg’s fastball found Alexander’s hand brought a surge of emotion that couldn’t be contained. Alexander had taken a couple of steps toward first base and then shouted at Erceg, prompting Orioles manager Craig Albernaz to quickly restrain his infield leader from charging the mound. Yet the scene didn’t stop there; players from both camps spilled from the dugouts, and pitchers from both bullpens dashed in from behind the outfield wall. There were no punches exchanged, and no ejections issued, but the damage was evident: Alexander left with a non-displaced fracture of his left hand, as Albernaz confirmed.
“Definitely a gut punch,” Albernaz said, reflecting on the prospect of facing Houston again after the All-Star break without Alexander. The Orioles’ leadoff hitter remains a central figure, having posted a .312 batting average this season. Alexander did not speak to reporters after the game.
Erceg maintained that the pitch was an accident, even though Samuel Basallo had just homered to build an 8-2 lead for Baltimore. “There’s no ill intent. That’s baseball,” Erceg said. “I mean, guys are going to get hit, and you have to, I guess, kind of understand the situation. I understand why he’s mad. Obviously, you don’t ever want to get hit, especially in the hand. So I’m sorry about that.” The sentiment mirrored a season that has not gone smoothly for the Royals or for Erceg personally. “I’ve got, like, a five-something ERA,” he admitted. “I’m not trying to hit guys or give up homers; that’s not what I’m out there for.”
Kansas City’s day grew grimmer as they slipped to a season-worst 21 games under .500 at 38-59 after being swept for the eighth time, the most in the majors. The Royals have dropped five straight games, a skid that arrives just as a four-day break looms, potentially offering little immediate relief from the frustration roiling the club. “Frustration is one word. Disappointment, anger,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You know, every emotion you can think of, we’re battling it here—just not getting the results, and it stinks.”