TAMPA — The outings have gotten longer, the results have gotten better.

And, based on his last start in Kansas City, the secret for Shane Baz is staying ahead of hitters in the count.

Baz, who will start Tuesday night against the Athletics, threw eight shutout innings against the Royals for his team-leading eighth win last week. Baz threw strikes on 71.3% of his pitches, which was his highest percentage since April 14 when he threw 72.4% strikes while going six innings with one run allowed against Boston.

“Any time a hitter sees less pitches in an at-bat, I think the pitcher has the advantage because you’re not showing him everything you’ve got,” Baz said. “The other thing is a hitter has to be more aggressive if they’re down in the count. Obviously, you don’t want to be taking pitchers when you’re down 0-2 in the count. So getting ahead of hitters is going to force them to swing more.”

While his overall numbers are still a bit wobbly (4.37 ERA, 1.257 WHIP), Baz has been noticeably better in recent weeks. After starting the season 3-3 with a 5.33 ERA, he’s gone 5-0 with a 3.24 ERA in his last seven starts. The Rays have won all seven of those games.

Manager Kevin Cash said the message for both Baz and Taj Bradley has been to fill up the strike zone and allow their elite stuff to do the bulk of the work.

“That’s kind of (how) we’ve simplified it with those two guys,” Cash said. “We just trust that their stuff is good enough to get outs in the zone. You’ve got to take that mindset into the game. It’s easier said than done. When you get a couple of guys on base, it’s easy to say, ‘I’m going to see if I can get this guy to chase,’ and then it quickly snowballs on you.

“So the commitment to the strike zone for Shane has certainly helped in his last couple of starts.”

Medical matters

Hours before Tuesday night’s first pitch, the Rays will get an important clue as to how the rest of their season will go.

Ace Shane McClanahan, who has been sidelined since the end of spring training with a nerve issue in his left arm, is expected to throw a bullpen session that will determine his next step.

If all goes well, McClanahan will graduate to throw a live batting practice in the middle of July.

“That’s the hope,” Cash said.

Manny Rodriguez has a bullpen session planned for Tuesday.Manny Rodriguez has a bullpen session planned for Tuesday. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]

Reliever Manny Rodriguez, who went on the injured list June 11 with a forearm strain, has begun throwing and also will have a bullpen session Tuesday. Rodriguez could graduate to a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League soon after.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

Alonso High product Alex Faedo, who was acquired from the Tigers in February but went down with shoulder inflammation in the spring, is expected to make his first appearance of the season in Durham on Tuesday.

Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is also continuing his rehab assignment (shoulder) in Triple A. Kim is hitting .194 with only two extra-base hits in 67 at-bats at Durham.

Miscellany

Brody Hopkins, who was one of two prospects acquired from Seattle in the Randy Arozarena trade last year, will be Tampa Bay’s lone representative in the 2025 Futures Game in Atlanta during the All-Star break. Hopkins is 4-4 with a 3.64 ERA at Double-A Montgomery and leads the Southern League with 85 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings. … Yandy Diaz’s extended his on-base streak to 24 games with an infield single to lead off the eighth. It’s the second-longest active streak in the majors and the second-longest of Diaz’s career. He had a 29-game streak last season. Brandon Lowe was not quite as fortunate. He drew an intentional walk as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, ending his career-best 16-game hitting streak. … Junior Caminero’s fourth-inning homer was his 14th at Steinbrenner Field this season. Only Shohei Ohtani, Eugenio Suarez and Aaron Judge have hit more homers at home this season. … The Rays did a video montage for Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs at the end of the first inning. Springs, who is scheduled to start Tuesday night, was 18-8 with a 2.63 ERA in parts of four seasons with Tampa Bay.

• • •

Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.

Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.