The Rays opened a three-game series in Milwaukee on Monday winning a close one against the Brewers.

Cedric Mullins was dropped from the starting lineup for the first time this season, which made sense with lefty Kyle Harrison starting for the Brewers. Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson were the only two left-handed hitters in the lineup.

Nick Martinez took the mound to make his first start in a Rays uniform, and looked to flip the script on a horrendous spring (13.2 IP, 14.49 ERA). He threw six solid innings, allowing just two runs on a William Contreras homer. If he can provide that line consistently, he will be a big addition to the rotation.

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Yandy Diaz continued his hot start to the season with a leadoff home run, his first bomb of the year. In his next at bat, in vintage Yandy Fashion, he hit a single the other way with a 106 mph exit velocity.

Jonny DeLuca tied the game in the seventh with a 438-foot solo shot to left field (109 mph). If DeLuca can focus on getting out in front like he did tonight, and pulling the ball in the air, he may be able to unlock some more power this season. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think DeLuca had a swing like that in his bag.

Nick Fortes got involved in a big way on both sides of the plate in the ninth inning. His double to right drove in the eventual winning run. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, successfully challenged a pitch that would’ve made it a 3-1 count on Blake Perkins. It was changed to a strike, making it a 2-2 count, and Perkins grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game on the very next pitch. It’s early in the season, but Fortes has been a big contributor early on and played a huge role in tonight’s win.

After using Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger in the seventh and eighth innings respectively, and Bryan Baker having pitched each of the last two days, Ian Seymour got the ball to start the ninth. It was a big vote of confidence from Kevin Cash, even if he didn’t have a better choice. Seymour hit the first batter he faced, but got the next two batters out. Kevin Kelly came in to get the final out, which was pinch hitter Blake Perkins.

The Rays will look to secure their first series victory of the season tomorrow night in Milwaukee, with Shane McClanahan making his first start since August 2023.