Shane McClanahan gets 1st win at Tropicana Field since 2023 as Rays beat Twins

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Apr 25, 2026

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Shane McClanahan pounded his glove, looked up and pointed his fingers that way, then let out a scream as he headed into the home dugout at Tropicana Field after his fifth and final inning of work on Saturday.

The emotion has been part of McClanahan’s comeback story, as he returned this season from a two-plus-year injury absence, and part of the fuel that drives him.

His five shutout innings on Saturday were worth celebrating, as he led the Rays to a 6-1 victory over the Twins.

McClanahan added to the list of accomplishments he checked off since coming back from August 2023 Tommy John surgery and the March 2025 left arm nerve issue that took all of last season to resolve. Also a factor was the January passing of his father.

On March 31 at Milwaukee, McClanahan had his first start since Aug. 2, 2023 at Yankee Stadium. On April 14, he won his first game since June 16, 2023 at San Diego.

Saturday, he won his first game at Tropicana Field since June 12, 2023 against Texas.

McClanahan did his part, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven, throwing 60 strikes with his 86 pitches.

Jake Fraley, in his first action since leaving Tuesday’s game with a sore right shin, did his part to help.

After Yandy Diaz was hit by a two-out pitch, Fraley drove an 0-1 Bailey Ober change-up 401 feet and over the right-centerfield fence for a 2-0 lead in the fourth.

The Rays (15-11) added on in the seventh.

Jonny DeLuca, pinch hitting for Fraley against lefty Taylor Rogers, laced a leadoff double. Ben Williamson followed with an RBI triple. After Cedric Mullins walked and stole second, catcher Nick Fortes delivered a single that scored Williamson. Richie Palacios followed with a sacrifice fly that got Mullins home.

The Rays got another run in the eighth, when Diaz singled for his 991st career hit and Williamson followed with a double.

Kevin Kelly, Hunter Bigge and Trevor Martin combined for the final four innings.