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Rays pitcher explains his controversial kiss after game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 11:53 AM ET

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks appeared to pull a disrespectful move after he closed out the team’s win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night, but the right-hander says the gesture was not directed toward his opponents.

Fairbanks pitched the ninth inning of the Rays’ 6-2 victory over the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md. The closer began the frame by drilling Samuel Basallo — Baltimore’s No. 1 prospect — in the wrist with a pitch. Basallo exited the game but X-rays later came back negative.

Fairbanks then got Adley Rutschman to ground into a double play and Ryan Mountcastle to fly out to end the game. After he recorded the final out, Fairbanks blew a kiss in the direction of the Orioles’ dugout.

Pete Fairbanks blew a kiss towards the Orioles dugout after closing out the game pic.twitter.com/xDcSdRiGgZ
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 25, 2025

There was some speculation that the Orioles were upset over Fairbanks hitting Basallo and that Baltimore players may have said something to Fairbanks about it. Both sides said that was not the case, however, and Fairbanks told reporters that he blew a kiss to a fan who had been heckling him.

Fairbanks said the fan was “wearing about a 2008 Majestic dugout jacket and a dad Orioles hat.” He insisted he would never do anything to disrespect the Orioles, who have several players that share the same love for Legos as Fairbanks.

“From everything I’ve heard about their squad from (former Orioles and current Rays reliever Bryan Baker) and everything, 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,” Fairbanks said. “That is what it is. I’m not talking about it anymore. I don’t think it needs to be addressed anymore.

“It was nothing to their dugout. I have nothing but respect for the guys over there that are playing hard and competing. That’s the last thing on my mind is to rub in anything that I feel terrible about.”

#Rays Pete Fairbanks said the gesture after the final out was towards a rude fan in the stands, not the #Orioles dugout. Pete said he “feels terrible” about hitting Basallo. Here’s Fairbanks in his own words postgame on @FanDuelSN_Rays. pic.twitter.com/ZaMg9yGSdY
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) September 25, 2025

Fairbanks, who has a 2.88 ERA and 27 saves this season, is known in part for his quirky personality. He has delivered some legendary quotes about his own performances in the past.

Had an Orioles player said something to Fairbanks about hitting Basallo, it would have made a lot more sense for his kiss gesture to have been a response. It does not sound like that is what happened.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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