Orioles' Pete Alonso smashes game-winning HR, joins exclusive club

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Orioles' Pete Alonso smashes game-winning HR, joins exclusive club

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Aug 22, 2026 12:41 AM ET

With his second home run in three days, Pete Alonso put his consistency on display in the Baltimore Orioles' win on Friday night.

Alonso hit what became the game-winning blast in the Orioles' 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. His two-run fifth-inning home run broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Orioles the same advantage they would hold throughout the rest of the game.

Pete Alonso made MLB history while hitting the game-winning HR

However, the fact that Alonso's home run led the Orioles to a win isn't the only reason it's one to remember for the eight-year MLB veteran.

It was his 30th home run of the season, marking his sixth straight campaign with at least 30 home runs and seventh overall.

Home run No. 30 for the Polar Bear ‍❄️

Pete Alonso powers the @Orioles in front with a 2-run shot! pic.twitter.com/GKIFcrHR08
— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2026

Alonso, a five-time All-Star from his tenure with the New York Mets, became just the fifth player to ever reach 30 home runs in seven of his first eight seasons.

at least 7 30-homer seasons in first 8 MLB seasons of career:

Pete Alonso (only year without 30 was shortened season)
Albert Pujols (8)
Mark Teixeira
Eddie Mathews
Ralph Kiner https://t.co/WpFMABOrx2
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 22, 2026

Pete Alonso would've reached 30 HRs in every season if not for COVID-19

In fact, the only year Alonso didn't get to 30 was 2020, the pandemic-shortened season. And he was on pace to do so that year as well. He went yard 16 times in 57 games and 208 at-bats in what was his second MLB season.

In addition to his seven 30-homer seasons, Alonso has put up 40 or more on three separate occasions. His career-high still stands as his only 50-plus year at 53 from his rookie season in 2019.

But back to the present, Alonso, 31, now has exactly 30 home runs, 85 RBI, 79 runs scored, 23 doubles with a slash line of .271/.361/.504 through 129 games and 484 at-bats in his debut season with the Orioles.

Career-wise, Alonso has 294 home runs and 797 RBI in 1,137 games.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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