The game was decided in the second inning. Tampa Bay erupted for three runs against Brandon Williamson, building a lead that Nick Martinez would protect for eight dominant innings in a 6-1 victory over Cincinnati at Tropicana Field.
Martinez carried a 2.10 ERA into the game and proved why, allowing just five hits and one run over eight innings. He struck out six and walked one on 95 pitches, earning his first win of the season. The veteran right-hander controlled the strike zone and kept the Reds off balance throughout his outing.
The decisive second inning began when Williamson singled to center, scoring Vilade. Simpson followed with a sacrifice fly that scored DeLuca on an error, with Williamson advancing to second on the throwing error by right fielder Benson. Díaz then singled to center, bringing Williamson home for a 3-0 lead. Junior Caminero extended the margin in the third with a 404-foot home run to right center.
Williamson struggled with his command, lasting just 4.1 innings while allowing seven hits and five runs. His ERA sits at 5.40 after the rough outing. The Reds managed just one run when Higgins hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth, scoring Lowe.
Tampa Bay snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 12-11. Cincinnati's five-game winning streak ended as they fell to 16-8. Martinez is one win away from 50 career victories.