Controversial finish as Basallo is hit in 9th in Orioles’ 6-2 loss to Rays; Rough start for Wells

BALTIMORE–What happened? In the second-to-last home game of the season, the Orioles produced no early offense and were no-hit by three Tampa Bay Rays pitchers for six innings.

Though the Orioles scored twice in the eighth, they lost to the Rays, 6-2, before 18,367 at Camden Yards on Wednesday night.

The night ended on a contentious note when Tampa Bay reliever Pete Fairbanks hit Samuel Basallo on his right wrist in the ninth inning. X-rays were negative. After the game, Fairbanks walked off the field and blew a kiss toward the Orioles’ dugout.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino wasn’t sure what happened with Fairbanks.

“I know there was somebody above our dugout screaming at Pete, and then as I was walking down the steps there at the end, I think he must have made some type of gesture in the direction of the dugout,” Mansolino said.

“I don’t know if it was at our dugout, there would be no reason to. I’m making the assumption it was at the fan above the dugout that was yelling at him. You’ll probably have to ask him as to what that was. But our dugout didn’t say a word. I’m assuming he heard the fan.

“Apparently he made the gesture. I think there was maybe some confusion in our dugout as to the direction that he was making the gesture towards. Again, there should be no reason for anything to go towards our dugout in that situation. I hope that’s what it wasn’t, but that’s just my understanding. I think it’s probably a little bit of confusion and misunderstanding, would be my guess.”

Fairbanks, who last hit a batter on September 11^th, 2023, said there was no intent.

“To hit a guy, especially a young guy who’s getting his first taste and looking to make an impression, is not something I would ever want to do,” Fairbanks said. “It’s a tough spot. But, unfortunately, that is part of the game, when you’re throwing a 5-ounce ball and they’re trying to hit it, sometimes stuff like that happens. And I feel terrible. I hope that it’s nothing lasting.”

Fairbanks said the gesture was meant for a fan above the Orioles’ dugout.

“It’s words I’m not allowed to say on air,” he said. “You want to tell me all sorts of things about myself? Cool. We’re human. Professionals. But sometimes we respond.”

What happened in the game? Shane Baz began by pitching four hitless innings. He walked three and nearly lost his shutout in the first when Gunnar Henderson reached on an error by first baseman Bob Seymour, and was nearly picked off and after he was credited with a steal of second, reached third on a throwing error by Baz.

Colton Cowser and Jeremiah Jackson walked to start the third, but Dylan Beavers filed to right and Jordan Westburg grounded into a double play.

Edwin Uceta (10-3) retired all three batters in the fifth, and Garrett Cleavinger pitched a perfect sixth.

Tyler O’Neill singled to start the seventh against Griffin Jax. The Rays have had only one no-hitter, on July 26^th, 2010 by Matt Garza.

The Orioles (74-84) scored their two runs in the eighth against former Oriole Bryan Baker, who was traded to Tampa Bay in July, on an infield single by Westburg that scored Cowser and Beavers.

After hitting Basallo, Fairbanks recorded the final three outs of the game.

The Rays scored three runs against Tyler Wells in four innings. Brandon Lowe had a RBI double in the first. Hunter Feduccia hit a run-scoring double in the second, and Lowe hit his 31^st home run in the third.

It was Wells’ fourth start since returning from right elbow surgery in June 2024, and his shortest. Wells (2-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in three innings.

Tampa Bay (77-81) scored a run in the sixth when Tristan Gray doubled to right and O’Neill’s error allowed Richie Palacios to score, and they extended their lead to 5-0 in the seventh when Chandler Simpson scored on Junior Caminero’s infield out.

Jake Mangum homered against José Castillo in the eighth.

How did Wells’ season end? Wells’ season ends with a 2.91 ERA

“Between all the rehab outings and the outings that I’ve had up here including today, I would rate them pretty high,” Wells said. “It’s one of those things, for me, as I continue to look back at it that I have to continue to thank the organization, the pitching coaches especially with [Drew French] and [Mitch Plassmeyer] being so adamant during that time, they’ve helped me so much with their support.

“And again, with the organization, everyone’s been super supportive during this whole time and kind of looking at the big picture, these are the things that you don’t want to take for granted, you don’t want to miss. Not my best outing tonight, but at the same time, too, I’m going to take a lot of the positives I’ve had out of this whole experience and continue to build off of those.”

What does it mean? For now, the Orioles can put Wells in their 2026 rotation. While this start wasn’t strong, his other three were.

What’s the stat of the day? Henderson stole his 29^th base. He’s been successful in his last 15 attempts since August 2^nd.

What’s the word?  “I don’t think that I’d be chirping a group of Lego-loving people like that, especially after unfortunately smoking their No. 1 prospect. So that is what it is. I’m not talking about it anymore. I don’t think it needs to be addressed anymore. I had nothing to their dugout. I have nothing but respect for the guys over there that are playing hard, competing.”-Fairbanks on his postgame reaction.   

What’s next? Cade Povich (3-8, 5.06) faces Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.80) in the final home game of the season at 1:05 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com