NEW YORK — Shane Baz had lots of reasons to smile after Sunday’s outing in which he used his high-octane fastball and a good mix of his curve, changeup and reworked slider/cutter to hold the Mets to three hits while working into the seventh inning.
But he also got emotional, with tears welling, in talking about winning on Father’s Day given the role his father, Raj, had in his success.
“It means a lot,” Baz said. “My dad, he’s my hero. He spent so many hours with me, whether it was baseball, football, basketball, anything really. He was never too tired or too busy to play with me or do what I wanted. Just the amount of time that that he spent with me on the weekends and stuff like that, and days of the week after work, it’s awesome.
“Just coaching my teams, taking me to the batting cages, getting me pitching lessons and stuff like that. You don’t understand at the time, but just all the time and money that he spent on me and stuff like that. So it’s special.”
Before we take off bound for Tampa, here’s my postgame on-field interview with Shane Baz, who dedicated today’s shutout win to his pops, Raj, who was watching back home 🥹🥹 #FathersDay pic.twitter.com/AM9bqnrImo
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) June 15, 2025
Raj didn’t make the trip to New York, but he will be in Tampa this week, and not just to see the Rays hand out the first-ever Shane Baz bobblehead on Thursday. Dad will get a few extra.
Baz had a text from Raj waiting when he checked his phone after leaving the game that read “Best Father’s Day gift ever.” Asked during the FanDuel postgame onfield interview for his reply, Shane said: “Happy Father’s Day. I love you. That one was definitely for you. I’ll call you later.”
Orze has a special trip![Eric Orze, who was drafted by the Mets, got his first big-league victory at Citi Field ... for the Rays.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 413"/%3E "Eric Orze, who was drafted by the Mets, got his first big-league victory at Citi Field ... for the Rays.")
Eric Orze, who was drafted by the Mets, got his first big-league victory at Citi Field … for the Rays. [ PAMELA SMITH | AP ]
Having taken over in the fifth inning Friday, getting three outs but giving up a single that scored two of Taj Bradley’s runs, Eric Orze didn’t realize until after the Rays’ thrilling 7-5 comeback victory that he’d made history.
“I kind of was just caught up in the excitement of the game. I didn’t realize it until I was walking out. I was literally on my way to the bus, and I got a text from my sister, and she was like, ‘How crazy, first win at Citi Field,’ ” said Orze, adding that she sent a screen shot of the box score as proof. “And I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ ”
Oh wow, indeed, given that Orze was drafted and developed by the Mets and debuted for them in 2024, including an appearance at Citi Field, before being traded to the Rays in November.
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And in his first game back, facing a squad of former minor- and major-league teammates, he got his first W in the big leagues.
“It was just like one of those things that baseball is so crazy,” Orze said. “Like, what are the odds that I come back? I do it against my old team? And at Citi Field nonetheless? … Definitely one of those full-circle moments that you don’t expect. You can’t make that up. You can’t write it any better than that. So it was a cool moment.”
There was another Saturday. Orze’s accomplishment also had slipped past the usually aware Rays clubhouse crew — which was able to get him a ball from the game after he asked — and bullpen leader Pete Fairbanks, who arranged for the customary celebratory shower of beer (and other handy liquids and items like shaving cream and baby powder) after the game.
Eastern viewThe Orioles’ Gary Sanchez, right, celebrates with Gunnar Henderson (2) after hitting a grand slam during the seventh inning of Sunday’s 11-2 victory over the Angels. [ STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH | AP ]
The Rays are approaching the halfway point of their schedule and have played two series against the three other American League East teams. But Monday will be their first look at the Orioles, as they open a four-game series at Steinbrenner Field.
“It definitely is a little odd that we’ve played everyone in the division at least twice, one at home and one on the road, and then now finally Baltimore,” said Monday Rays starter Ryan Pepiot.
“But it’s just how the schedule goes and how it draws. They’re playing better, so, of course, that’s when we get them. It’s going to be a good test. It’s always fun to play division opponents, and they’re important games.”
After a 16-34 start, the Orioles are on a 14-6 roll, with improved performances from former Rays starters Zach Eflin and Charlie Morton, among others.
“I really don’t care what their record is, that’s a very talented team over there,” manager Kevin Cash said.
Miscellany
The Rays scored seven or more runs in three straight games for the first time since May 2023. … Sunday’s win was the Rays’ sixth straight over the Mets; they are 16-4 in their last 20 games. … The Rays improved to 14-13 on Father’s Day. … Reliever Forrest Whitley, acquired Friday in trade from Houston, is expected to join the team Monday, with the Rays having to create a spot on the active roster. …. Outfielder/infielder Richie Palacios (right knee sprain) went 1-for-4 in his first rehab game for Triple-A Durham on Saturday and was in the lineup Sunday night at DH. … Yandy Diaz didn’t play Sunday, but Cash said there were no issues from his somewhat awkward slide into home on Saturday, or anything else: “He’s fine. Totally available. It was more just give him a day off.”
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