TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — Nick Martinez delivered eight strong innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a series sweep by defeating the Cincinnati Reds 6-1 on Wednesday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field.

Martinez allowed one run on five hits, striking out six without a walk to earn the win. The Rays provided ample support with a three-run second inning off Reds starter Brandon Williamson, who took the loss after surrendering five runs over 4 1/3 innings.

Yandy Díaz went 3 for 4 with an RBI for Tampa Bay, while Ryan Vilade added two hits and an RBI. The Rays scored single runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings. Cincinnati’s lone run came on a fifth-inning sacrifice fly by P.J. Higgins.

Tampa Bay improved to 13-11, while Cincinnati fell to 16-9. An announced crowd of 15,546 saw the game, which lasted 2 hours, 14 minutes.