THE ORIOLES BROUGHT THE THUNDER TO ST. LOUIS. Baltimore opened its road trip with a complete 13-1 demolition of the Cardinals on Tuesday night, powered by the O’s highest-scoring inning of the season: an eight-run, 13-batter fifth inning that turned this game into a party. Pete Alonso launched his 31st homer of the year—a three-run shot—and passed 800 career RBIs before finishing a perfect 4-for-4. Christian Encarnacion-Strand added a 450-foot blast, while Coby Mayo, Dylan Beavers, Leody Taveras and Jackson Holliday all helped fuel the massive fifth-inning avalanche. Chris Bassitt gave Baltimore exactly what it needed on the mound, tying his season high with 6 2/3 innings while allowing only one run. The win moves the Orioles to four games under .500—and gives this club one of its most encouraging offensive performances of the season. Luke Slabaugh reacts to the Orioles’ offensive explosion, Alonso’s historic night, Bassitt’s command, the eight-run fifth, and what this win could me...