Rays rally in 8th inning, sweep Orioles to spoil Shane Baz's return

Here's how you know that everything is going the Rays' way: It's when a two-out, four-run, eighth-inning rally includes mind-blowing stuff like this.

It's when Richie Palacios swings away at a 3-0 pitch and lines a hit to rightfield that he never saw, driving in Jonathan Aranda with the go-ahead run. Palacios stood in the batter's box for several seconds before realizing what had happened.

"No. I didn't know where the ball went," he said. "I just swung, and it hit the barrel and I didn't know where the ball went. I looked straight up and I just heard everybody screaming before I started running, and I saw it in rightfield. So, thankfully, that landed safely."

The Rays rallied from a 3-1 deficit with four runs in the eighth to sweep the Orioles with a 5-3 win Wednesday afternoon, because that's what they do.

They are 21-4 in their last 25 games and just completed their MLB-leading sixth series sweep of the season. They've won eight of their last 10 games, improving MLB's best record to 33-15 heading into a weekend series at Yankee Stadium.

"I mean, look, all these series are big," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We talked about the run we've been on within our division play and certainly know New York is a good team, but so are we. We've played well. So, I'm excited to get up there."

The Rays ruined some pretty good homecoming stories in the process.

Former Plant High star Pete Alonso drove in a pair of runs, including his ninth homer of the season. Former Rays pitcher Shane Baz, who was traded to the Orioles for four prospects and a draft pick in December, had his best outing of the season by allowing only one run on two hits with six strikeouts over six innings.

The run? Oh, that would be the first major-league homer by Rays catcher Hunter Feduccia in the second inning.

It was Feduccia who started the rally with a bunt single in the eighth.

"I don't know how that came about," Feduccia said. "It kind of hit me last second. I saw the third baseman back a little bit and thought it was a good time to do it."

Chandler Simpson grounded into a fielder's choice and went to third when Junior Caminero singled to right for his second hit.

Oliver Dunn, just acquired in a trade from the White Sox, pinch-ran and was on the move when Aranda tied the game with a two-run double to right-center.

"Jonny is probably the right guy to come up there with guys on base, game on the line," Cash said of Aranda. "We've got a bunch of guys that are coming through in those moments right now. Things are going well. But happy to see Jonny go. Looked like he dug a breaking ball or split below the zone and put it in the gap to allow our new guy to score."

Cash was asked why he believed Dunn could swipe a base in that situation.

"Our information in talking to him, I think he was 9-of-10," Cash said. "I asked him, and he said, ‘Oh yeah, I was 9-of-9, but I got picked off at first base. That doesn't count.' Whatever. That's how they all think. I was happy he's got some speed."

After Ryan Vilade walked, the Orioles replaced Anthony Nunez with Rico Garcia. He fell behind Palacios 3-0 before the Rays infielder decided to swing away.

"I was just trying to look for a good pitch," Palacios said. "First three, he was kind of around the zone. I was able to take those. I know it was 3-0, and with runners on base I don't swing much (with that count), probably like twice in my career. But guys are on base. I looked for a good pitch and was able to put a good swing on it."

But the Rays weren't done. Palacios took off for second base and Vilade broke for home, beating the relay throw for the fourth run of the inning.

"Look, it's a risky play, but very impressed with Ryan Vilade," Cash said. "That's a big ask to say, ‘Hey, just trust it. I'll wear it if it doesn't work.' But I'm glad it worked for us. He got a good jump and put a lot of pressure on the middle infielder to make a good play."

The Rays were equally pleased with the performance of starter Steven Matz, who was making his first start since returning from the 15-day injured list, having missed 13 games with shoulder inflammation. He looked sharp in working four innings, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

"Happy to have him back," Cash said. "He was really good. I think it's really impressive to go 16, 17 days down, not facing hitters. I know he had his up-downs, kept his arm going. But he was really sharp. Just like the guy we saw before the injury."

Baz entered the game with a 1-5 record and an ERA just over 5.00. He gave up the home run to Feduccia but at one point sat down 11 straight Rays hitters. When did the tide turn for the Rays?

"Probably when he came out of the game," Cash said. "Shane was kind of vintage Shane Baz. We had some opportunities early. The pitch count got a little elevated with him. We've seen that before. He can really lock it in and kept us off balance with the off-speed. The combination of the curveball and the fastball, he was challenging."

The Rays are playing with so much belief they're now unbelievable. They're never out of a game. Whatever it takes. A catcher blasting his first career home run and starting a rally with a bunt single. Clutch hits from stars like Caminero and Aranda. Pinch-runners and double steals. Then Ian Seymour pitching a 1-2-3 ninth.

The shirtless "Tarps Off" boys making noise and going crazy in leftfield.

"This locker room has amazing energy, but when you add the ‘No Tarp' boys on top of it, it's amazing," Palacios said. "So, I'm going to keep tweeting at the boys, tell them to keep pulling up, and I'm excited for that."

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 4:38 PM.