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Orioles Blaze Alexander has peculiar at bat against former team
TL;DR
Blaze Alexander faced his former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, for the first time on April 13, 2026, after being traded to the Baltimore Orioles. His first at bat against pitcher Ryne Nelson was notably long and peculiar.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman, Blaze Alexander, 26, said that playing his former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, for the first time ever on April 13, was just another MLB game.
Alexander, drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2018, was traded to the Orioles on February 5, 2026.
Business as usual did not happen during his first at bat against his former team and pitcher Ryne Nelson.
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Alexander’s long at bat
Alexander worked the count. He got a ball which he pulled to right field. Corbin Carroll misjudged it, but it bounced foul.
The Orioles challenged the play believing that Carroll made contact with the ball in fair territory before it bounced foul.
The call on the field was upheld. It did appear Carroll made contact, but the lack of camera coverage in that corner of the field could have been a mitigating factor.
With another chance, Alexander returned to the plate, faced Nelson again, and on 3-2, the home plate umpire declared that catcher Adrian Del Castillo interfered with Alexander, and he took first base. The Diamondbacks were angry about the call and believed there was not sufficient time to react with a challenge.
Gunnar Henderson followed with a triple that scored Alexander.
His former teammate James McCann was looking for him
Alexander was sought out before the game by his former teammate (and former Orioles catcher) James McCann wanted him to pay his outstanding fantasy football balance.
McCann later reported he got the money and praised Alexander’s baseball skills.
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McCann said: “He’s one of those players that brings a spark, brings an energy. He plays the game hard, he plays the game fast. … He brings joy to the game.”
Ironically, McCann was the subject of an Orioles pregame video compilation. The beloved catcher was with the Orioles for two seasons: 2023-2024.
It is early in the season, but the Orioles are experiencing weird things. Alexander’s at bat was more of the same.
Q&A
What happened during Blaze Alexander's first at bat against the Diamondbacks?
Blaze Alexander had a notably long and peculiar at bat against his former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, during his first game against them.
When was Blaze Alexander traded to the Baltimore Orioles?
Blaze Alexander was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on February 5, 2026.
Who was the pitcher Blaze Alexander faced in his first game against the Diamondbacks?
Blaze Alexander faced pitcher Ryne Nelson during his first game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
