Tampa Bay advanced to the American League Championship Series for the third time in franchise history after completing a sweep of the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.
The Rays won Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, holding on for a 4-3 victory after a late challenge from the home team.
The Yankees entered the deciding game trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series and hoped their home crowd could extend their season.
Instead, Tampa Bay relied on contributions from players who had attracted relatively little attention before joining the club.
Controversial Sixth Inning
A controversial play in the sixth inning briefly appeared to bring New York level.
With two outs and the Yankees trailing 4-2, Anthony Volpe hit a high fly ball against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax.
Two spectators reached over the outfield fence and interfered with left fielder Victor Mesa Jr.'s attempt to make the catch.
After a replay review, home plate umpire and crew chief Dan Bellino ruled spectator interference.
The ball was scored as a double rather than a home run because the replay center determined it would not have cleared the wall without the spectators' involvement.
George Lombard Jr. scored from first base, cutting Tampa Bay's lead to 4-3.
Although Volpe initially rounded the bases and celebrated with his teammates, he returned to second base after the ruling.
Jax then struck out Spencer Jones on three pitches to end the inning.
The Yankees could not score again, and the 4-3 margin held through the final three innings.
Roster Overhaul Pays Off
The series victory followed a significant restructuring of Tampa Bay's roster during the offseason.
The Rays entered 2026 after a 77-win campaign that left them fourth in the American League East, prompting substantial changes to the team.
Among the departures were longtime closer Pete Fairbanks, who left in free agency, and Brandon Lowe, the franchise's longest-tenured player, who was traded to Pittsburgh.
Starting pitcher Shane Baz was dealt to Baltimore, while outfielder Josh Lowe was sent to Anaheim.
Less prominent acquisitions also proved important to the team's postseason run.
Right-hander Nick Martinez, who signed a one-year, $13 million free-agent contract in February, started Game 3 against the Yankees.
He allowed two runs over 3 ⅔ innings before Tampa Bay's bullpen took over.
Martinez's postseason performance followed a strong regular season that earned him his first All-Star selection.
His influence extended beyond the pitching staff, with teammates and coaches crediting him for helping unite the clubhouse.
Liam Hicks, a catcher who joined Tampa Bay at the August trade deadline, described Martinez as a central figure in the team's off-field relationships.
"He's the guy that's organizing team events," said Hicks. "He's just the man.
He's the guy that you can go to for anything."
Manager Kevin Cash also highlighted Martinez's support for teammates, including on days when he was not scheduled to pitch.
Cash said the right-hander consistently sought ways to help the team and contributed to its success through his attitude and commitment.
"Nick is everybody's biggest cheerleader the days he doesn't pitch and maybe more so on the days he does pitch," said Cash.
"He puts a smile on everybody's face because he cares so much. He's always asking, 'what can I do?
How can I help you?' He's been instrumental to our success."
Rays hitting coach Ozzie Timmons similarly credited Martinez with bringing the clubhouse together and maintaining a positive atmosphere throughout the season.
"He brought this team together like nobody could," said Timmons.
"That's why they call him the Prez — he comes here, he brings that energy every day, no matter how things are going.
He's always positive."
Martinez's emergence as both a clubhouse leader and a key member of Tampa Bay's pitching staff marked another milestone in a career that began in a different position.
The Miami native primarily played shortstop at Fordham University before transitioning to pitching full-time.
