ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Given changes in the game over the past few decades, a starters’ efficient effort is a needed bail-out. The ability to lift a team from the doldrums and losing become essential and starters like Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddox and others seem to have the capability to elevate their team in dire moments.
Not that Tampa Bay righthander Nick Martinez falls into this category,
The veteran righthander was called upon to put the skids on the latest Rays’ misery. After reaching the top of the American League East a few weeks into the season, the Rays proceeded to drop five of six games between April 18 and April 21 and requested Martinez toss a life raft.
As in the tradition of those “stoppers,” Martinez helped end the Rays’ three-game losing streak, turned in the best effort of a Tampa Bay starter this season and systemically shut down the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds, 6-1 for 15,546 on April 22 in Tropicana Field.
With a total pitch count at 95 after eight innings, Rays’ manager Kevin Cash pulled the veteran for Kevin Kelly and Martinez settled for his fourth quality start of the season. In eight innings against the Reds, his former team, Martinez allowed five hits, one run, walked one and fanned six hitters. The effort lowered Martinez’s season ERA to 2.10.
“You would love to have a complete game,” he said afterward. “That’s not my decision. Again, just the focus was to be efficient and give myself a chance to go deep. I was able to do that.”
With the start against Cincinnati on April 22, Martinez started 138 games for four clubs and has one complete game over a nine-year major league career. That was pitching for the Reds in 2024.
“The last few games have been tough for us and for Nick to come out and do what he did was not surprising,” said right fielder Ryan Vilade, who contributed with a 2-for-3 afternoon, one RBI and one run scored. “He’s been great for us, and he is one our leaders. And, he led (on April 22).”
A struggling offense ignited the spark early and created an early comfort zone for the 35-year-old Martinez.
The Rays built an important 4-0 advantage with three in the second and Junior Caminero’s sixth homer of the season. Single runs in the fifth and seventh pushed the Rays’ season mark, after 24 games, to 13-11.
“We managed to get guys on base and came up with important hits,” Cash said. “In the last few games, we were not getting traffic on the bases. We came through in big ways, stack some runs and give (Martinez) a little room from which to work.”
Next … The Minnesota Twins come into Tropicana Field for three and this begins Friday April 24. The Rays face right-hander Taj Bradley, a former teammate, and off to a torrid start. Starting five games, the 25 year-old out of Stone Mountain, Ga. is 3-0 with a sparkling 1.63 ERA. His strikeout ratio to innings continues to be high. In 27.2 innings, Bradley has fanned 34 hitters. “Bradley is a really talented pitcher,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “I’m happy for his success, want him to perform well and have a great career. But, not against us.” In parts of three seasons with the Rays, Bradley went 19-25 in 67 starts and a 4.70 ERA. He was dealt to the Twins last July 31 for pitcher Griffin Jax. Bradley is schedule to face Tampa Bay righty Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 2.75 ERA) in the series opener … After the Minnesota series, the Rays hit the road for a short, three game trip to Cleveland and return to Tropicana Field to face the Giants and Blue Jays (three games each) May 1 through May 6.
