CLEVELAND – Nick Martinez kept the Rays keep rolling through the American League.
Martinez pitched seven-plus scoreless innings as Tampa Bay extended its winning streak to six games on Tuesday night, beating the Guardians, 1-0, to spoil 2024 No. 1 overall Draft pick Travis Bazzana’s much-hyped Major League debut for Cleveland.
Making his 135th career start, Martinez allowed just three hits as the Rays improved to 13-1 in games against AL opponents. Tampa Bay joined Milwaukee (1987), Detroit (1984), Oakland (1981) and Cleveland (1966) for the best start vs. American League teams.
The Rays have won 13 in a row against the AL since losing to Minnesota on April 3. They’ve also won a franchise-record 10 straight vs. teams in the AL Central.
Bazzana went 0-for-2 with two walks, including an intentional walk with the tying run on second base in the bottom of the ninth. He also reached in the eighth when the Guardians loaded the bases on three walks. But Ian Seymour came in for Martinez and struck out Chase DeLauter before Kevin Kelly relieved and retired José Ramírez on a fly ball to the warning track.
Cole Sulser gave up a two-out double in the ninth and walked Bazzana intentionally before striking out pinch-hitter George Valera for his first save of the season to preserve the shutout.