The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-2 on Sunday, with Blaze Alexander struck by a fastball from Royals reliever Lucas Erceg in the seventh inning. The pitch hit Alexander’s left hand, prompting benches and bullpens to clear the field near home plate. No punches were thrown and no players were ejected.

Alexander stepped toward first base after the hit and shouted at Erceg. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz restrained the infielder from charging the mound. The injury was later confirmed to be a non‑displaced fracture of Alexander’s left hand, and Albernaz called it a "gut punch".

Kansas City struggled in the game, continuing a season where the Royals have fallen 21 games below .500 (38-59). Erceg said the hit was an accident and apologized, noting that he had no intention of striking a batter. Royals manager Matt Quatraro reflected on the team’s frustration after being swept for the eighth time.

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Blaze Alexander leads the Orioles with a .312 batting average and was not made available to the media after the game. The injury will keep him out of the lineup as the team returns from the All‑Star break to face Houston on Friday night.