The Rays may have narrowly escaped with a win on Thursday, but that didn’t mean there was no carnage.
When speaking to the media postgame following Tampa Bay’s 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins, closer Pete Fairbanks — who surrendered a game-tying three-run homer in the ninth inning — had a memorable moment.
“Look, let’s just say that I owe the Minnesota Twins’ visiting [batting] cage a new IKEA stool,” Fairbanks revealed.
Amusingly, Fairbanks clarified that the stool is “nonexistent anymore.”
“Sometimes, you’ve got to get it all out to go out there and put up another zero,” the reliever added.
After an eventful ninth, Fairbanks returned to the game in the 10th inning, notching the save courtesy of an unbelievable throw from center fielder Jose Siri.
Fairbanks’ miscues comprised just his second blown save of the year, but he also earned his 10th save of the season and the 50th of his career.
The eccentric Fairbanks has proven to be a must-see interview in the past.
After losing the Rays a game against the Angels in April, Fairbanks was extremely frank about his performance.
“I thought it generally sucked,” Fairbanks said. “I didn’t think it was a specific suck. I thought it was an all-encompassing type of suck.”
Over the last few years, the 6-foot-6 righty has proven to be one of the better high-leverage relievers in baseball.
Since 2020, Fairbanks’ 4.5 wins above replacement (WAR) ranks 15th among relief pitchers, and his 48 saves are tied for 26th, according to Fangraphs.
With his 3.51 ERA, Fairbanks has been one of the few bright spots in a down year for the Rays.
The team’s bullpen, which has slotted toward the top of baseball the last few seasons, ranks 23rd with an uncharacteristic 4.38 ERA.
On top of that, Tampa Bay is in fourth place in the AL East with a 36-39 record.
A major reason for the team’s slide has been the drop-off of hitters like Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz, not to mention a rotation that’s thoroughly depleted with injury.
Fairbanks and the Rays look to get back to .500 for the first time since June 5 when they head to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates this weekend.