Nick Martinez and 3 relievers pitch AL-best Rays to 3-0 win over slumping Guardians

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Nick Martinez threw six sharp innings, Yandy Díaz became the fourth player in Tampa Bay history to reach 1,000 hits and the Rays shut out the slumping Cleveland Guardians 3-0 on Saturday night.

>Junior Caminero hit an RBI double in the fifth to put Tampa Bay up 1-0 before Cedric Mullins extended the lead with a sacrifice fly. Hunter Feduccia added a sacrifice bunt in the sixth that scored Victor Mesa Jr.

>The Rays have the best record in the American League at 61-43 and lead the AL East by two games over the New York Yankees.

>Tanner Bibee pitched six innings and All-Star rookie Travis Bazzana had two of Cleveland's five hits as the Guardians lost their fourth consecutive game.

>Díaz reached the milestone with his leadoff single in the first and finished 2 for 4 with a run. Carl Crawford holds the franchise record with 1,480 hits.

>Martinez (10-2) struck out five and walked none. He allowed four hits and lowered his ERA to 2.45 over 117 1/3 innings in his first season with Tampa Bay.

>Cole Sulser and Garrett Cleavinger each pitched an inning before All-Star closer Bryan Baker worked a one-hit ninth for his 27th save.

>Bibee (4-10) permitted nine hits while striking out five and walking two. He threw 107 pitches, two shy of his career high.

Up nextIn a matchup of All-Star pitchers, Guardians LHP Parker Messick (8-5, 2.68 ERA) faces RHP Drew Rasmussen (8-5, 3.28) in the series finale Sunday.

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