Nick Martinez, Rays' bullpen mow down Guardians in 1-0 win

Field Level Media|published: Tue 28th April, 21:07 2026

Apr 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nick Martinez (28) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Jonathan Aranda had an RBI single in the fifth inning and Nick Martinez and three relievers combined on a four-hitter as the visiting Tampa Bay Rays edged the Cleveland Guardians 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Martinez (2-1) worked seven-plus innings, striking out four in lowering his ERA to 1.70. The right-hander walked one and gave up three hits, throwing 13 or fewer pitches in each inning to help Tampa Bay post its sixth consecutive victory.

Ian Seymour and Kevin Kelly worked the eighth, while Cole Sulser tossed the ninth for his first save since 2022 with the Miami Marlins. The Rays are a season-best seven games above .500 at 18-11.

The Guardians loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth against Seymour, prompting Rays manager Kevin Cash to bring in Kelly. Seven-time All-Star Jose Ramirez flew out to the warning track in center field to end the threat.

In the ninth, Sulser gave up a two-out double to Angel Martinez, then intentionally walked Travis Bazzana in his major league debut. Pinch hitter George Valera struck out on three pitches, sending Cleveland to its season-high fourth loss in a row.

Aranda's two-out single scored Ben Williamson and was his 25th RBI, which ranks second in the American League. Their back-to-back hits matched the Rays' total output in the first four innings off Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (0-4).

Bazzana went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks in his major league debut. The first overall pick in the 2024 draft, who played for Australia in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, batted seventh and played second base.

Bibee allowed one run on four hits over five innings, but remained winless in seven starts this season as he has received the least run support of any starter in the majors. The right-hander struck out six and walked three.

Rays third baseman Junior Caminero fouled a pitch off the right side of his jaw in the first inning, and he left the game after grounding out. He was diagnosed with a contusion and is listed as day to day.

Daniel Schneemann had a single for the Guardians, extending his career-high on-base streak to 14 games.

--Field Level Media

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