The Tampa Bay Rays took a division contest at Camden Yards on Sunday, August 23, 2026, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 in nine innings. Nick Martinez was the story, holding Baltimore to a single hit over six shutout innings while Tampa Bay's offense scratched together enough runs to make the Orioles' lone score — a Colton Cowser solo home run — nothing more than a footnote. In a tight divisional race where every game carries weight, this was a tough one to drop at home.

Nick Martinez Stifles Baltimore Offense in Six-Inning Gem

Let's be blunt: Martinez was unhittable. He went six full innings, surrendered just one hit, walked nobody, and punched out four. The Orioles simply had no answer for him. When your starting pitcher faces a lineup and gives up a single hit with zero walks, you're not losing because of bad luck — you're losing because the other guy was better on that day. Martinez earned this one, and Bryan Baker closed it out in the ninth to pick up the save, allowing one hit and one earned run but stranding enough trouble to preserve the win.

Cowser Provides Baltimore's Only Offense

The lone bright spot in the Baltimore lineup was Colton Cowser, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. His solo shot was the only run the Orioles managed all night, and it came against the Tampa bullpen rather than Martinez. Cowser made contact and did damage when given the chance, but the rest of the lineup couldn't back him up against a Rays pitching staff that was locked in from the first pitch.

Shane Baz Takes the Loss After Rough Outing

On the other side of the mound, Shane Baz took the loss after a rocky 5.2 innings. He allowed five hits, three earned runs, and walked three batters — enough damage to put Baltimore in a hole it never climbed out of. Chandler Simpson led the Rays' offensive contributions with two hits and an RBI in three at-bats, doing the quiet, grinding work that typifies Tampa Bay's approach.

Baltimore Bullpen Holds the Line

Credit where it's due: the Orioles' bullpen didn't let this get worse. Grant Wolfram, Anthony Nunez, and Cam Sanders combined for 3.1 scoreless innings after Baz exited, keeping Baltimore within striking distance. Wolfram went 1.1 innings allowing one hit, Nunez tossed a frame with two walks but no runs, and Sanders worked a clean ninth. The bullpen gave the offense a chance — the bats just couldn't deliver.

Key Performances at a Glance

  • Colton Cowser (BAL): 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Nick Martinez (TB): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K — winning pitcher
  • Chandler Simpson (TB): 2-for-3, 1 RBI
  • Shane Baz (BAL): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K — losing pitcher
  • Bryan Baker (TB): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB — save

What's Next for the Orioles

Baltimore absorbs a division loss at home and will need to regroup quickly. The Rays made a statement on Sunday with Martinez's dominant performance, and the Orioles' offense — held to one hit through six innings — has to find its footing. The next series will offer a chance to answer, but the pitching matchup against Tampa Bay on this day simply didn't go Baltimore's way. Cowser showed he can do damage when the opportunities are there. The rest of the lineup needs to follow his lead.