Orioles' Shane Baz Refuses to Talk About Controversial Play vs. Blue Jays

The Baltimore Orioles were defeated by the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 on Sunday. A controversial play occurred during the game that led to a Blue Jays’ rally in the 6th inning. 

With Orioles starter Shane Baz on the mound and one out, Brandon Valenzuela hit a ground ball to second base. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson came across the bag and fielded the baseball. Ernie Clement was running to second base and seemingly ran out of the base line. Henderson then threw the ball to first base without tagging the runner.

Instead of an inning ending double play, the umpires ruled that Clement did not run out of the base line. The Blue Jays ended up scoring multiple more runs. Baz ended up surrendering only one earned run but he allowed five total runs to score across 5.2 innings of work. 

After the contest, Baz spoke to reporters but decided not to comment on the controversial play, via Orioles on MASN.

“The only reason I’m not going to talk about that play is because I will get fined,” Baz said. “So, that’s the only reason.”

The moment took away from what was a strong pitching performance. Baz performed well until the Blue Jays captured momentum after the controversial call.

Shane Baz’s 2026 Season

Baz has pitched to a 4.09 ERA across 13 starts so far during the 2026 season. The right-handed hurler has also recorded 66 strikeouts in his 77 innings of work on the mound. 

Baz was acquired by the O’s in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays during the offseason. He has always displayed potential and Baltimore clearly believed in his ceiling. While Baz has not exactly pitched at an All-Star level, he has made a significant impact in the team’s starting rotation up to this point.

At only 26 years old, Baz could still emerge as a star. At the very least, he is giving an Orioles ball club that needs pitching help reliable innings for the most part.

Baltimore fell to 31-35 overall with the defeat. The Blue Jays earned a 2-1 series victory and they are now in third place in the American League East standings at 32-34 overall. The O’s are currently in fourth place. It has been an up and down campaign for the ball club so far.

Baltimore will look to get back on track as soon as possible. The Orioles are set to begin a three-game series on Monday night at 6:35 PM EST against the Seattle Mariners.