{"id":106979,"date":"2025-06-16T01:53:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T01:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/106979\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T01:53:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T01:53:16","slug":"rays-shane-baz-gets-emotional-after-fathers-day-win-over-mets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/106979\/","title":{"rendered":"Rays\u2019 Shane Baz gets emotional after Father\u2019s Day win over Mets"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW YORK \u2014 Shane Baz had lots of reasons to smile after Sunday\u2019s 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<\/a> while working into the seventh inning.<\/p>\n

But he also got emotional, with tears welling, in talking about winning on Father\u2019s Day given the role his father, Raj, had in his success.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means a lot,\u201d Baz said. \u201cMy dad, he\u2019s 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\u2019s awesome.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust coaching my teams, taking me to the batting cages, getting me pitching lessons and stuff like that. You don\u2019t understand at the time, but just all the time and money that he spent on me and stuff like that. So it\u2019s special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before we take off bound for Tampa, here\u2019s my postgame on-field interview with Shane Baz, who dedicated today\u2019s shutout win to his pops, Raj, who was watching back home \ud83e\udd79\ud83e\udd79 #FathersDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/AM9bqnrImo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) June 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Raj didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Baz had a text from Raj waiting when he checked his phone after leaving the game that read \u201cBest Father\u2019s Day gift ever.\u201d Asked during the FanDuel postgame onfield interview for his reply, Shane said: \u201cHappy Father\u2019s Day. I love you. That one was definitely for you. I\u2019ll call you later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Orze has a special trip\"EricEric Orze, who was drafted by the Mets, got his first big-league victory at Citi Field … for the Rays. [\u00a0PAMELA SMITH | AP\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Having taken over in the fifth inning Friday<\/a>, getting three outs but giving up a single that scored two of Taj Bradley\u2019s runs, Eric Orze didn\u2019t realize until after the Rays\u2019 thrilling 7-5 comeback victory that he\u2019d made history.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kind of was just caught up in the excitement of the game. I didn\u2019t 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, \u2018How crazy, first win at Citi Field,\u2019 \u201d said Orze, adding that she sent a screen shot of the box score as proof. \u201cAnd I was like, \u2018Oh, wow.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just like one of those things that baseball is so crazy,\u201d Orze said. \u201cLike, 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\u2019t expect. You can\u2019t make that up. You can\u2019t write it any better than that. So it was a cool moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was another Saturday. Orze\u2019s accomplishment also had slipped past the usually aware Rays clubhouse crew \u2014 which was able to get him a ball from the game after he asked \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Eastern view\"TheThe 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. [\u00a0STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH | AP\u00a0]<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt definitely is a little odd that we\u2019ve played everyone in the division at least twice, one at home and one on the road, and then now finally Baltimore,\u201d said Monday Rays starter Ryan Pepiot. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s just how the schedule goes and how it draws. They\u2019re playing better, so, of course, that\u2019s when we get them. It\u2019s going to be a good test. It\u2019s always fun to play division opponents, and they\u2019re important games.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really don\u2019t care what their record is, that\u2019s a very talented team over there,\u201d manager Kevin Cash said.<\/p>\n

Miscellany<\/p>\n

The Rays scored seven or more runs in three straight games for the first time since May 2023. … Sunday\u2019s win was the Rays\u2019 sixth straight over the Mets; they are 16-4 in their last 20 games. … The Rays improved to 14-13 on Father\u2019s 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\u2019t play Sunday, but Cash said there were no issues from his somewhat awkward slide into home on Saturday, or anything else: \u201cHe\u2019s fine. Totally available. It was more just give him a day off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n

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