He was acquired along with Rick Dempsey, Scott McGregor, Rudy May and Dave Pagan by the Orioles for Ken Holtzman, Doyle Alexander, Elrod Hendricks, Grant Jackson and Jimmy Freeman at the trade deadline on June 15, 1976.

[1] A notable Martinez achievement during the 1983 season was picking off Barry Bonnell, Dave Collins and Willie Upshaw at first base in a single frame of a ten-inning 7–4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Memorial Stadium on August 24.

Martinez picked off all three baserunners, then became the winning pitcher when the Orioles won the game on Sakata's home run in the bottom of the tenth.

[3] He was on the mound when the Orioles clinched the division title in a 5–1 victory over the Brewers at Milwaukee County Stadium on September 25 and the pennant in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, earning a save and a win respectively.

Fans blew on an official Oriole Tweeter every time Martinez entered a game as a reliever, and when he struck out the side.