What happened: Alonso reached 40 homers in his eighth major-league season, his first with Baltimore. He has now hit 40 or more in four of those eight seasons.

Why it matters: Consistent 40-homer production anchors Baltimore's middle of the order in the final September week of the regular season. Doing it in his first Baltimore season establishes immediate first-year impact after the club change.

What to watch: Baltimore continues its late-September home stretch with Toronto in town.