Overview
- The Baltimore Orioles completed a three‑game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with an 8-2 victory that sent them into the All‑Star break on their first four‑game winning streak of the season.
- In the seventh inning on Sunday, Royals reliever Lucas Erceg hit Blaze Alexander with a pitch, prompting both dugouts and bullpens to empty before play resumed and no players were ejected.
- Manager Craig Albernaz said Alexander has a non‑displaced fracture in his left hand and will undergo additional imaging and evaluation over the All‑Star break to set a recovery timeline.
- Orioles starter Shane Baz struck out nine and was lifted after 4 2/3 innings and 104 pitches, and a series of relievers recorded 4.1 scoreless innings to preserve the win.
- The Royals were swept and fell to a season‑high 21 games under .500, while the Orioles (46-51) remain near the AL wild‑card picture and may face short‑term roster moves depending on Alexander’s prognosis.