Carlos Martinez is used to helping the Cardinals win games with his right arm. On Wednesday he helped win one with his bat.
Martinez hit what he said was his first-ever home run to break up a scoreless game in the sixth inning and allowed just one run before Bud Norris closed out the victory over the White Sox at Busch Stadium.
The run charged to Martinez actually scored after he left the game after 7 1/3 innings, scattering five hits. He has allowed just three runs in his last six starts, covering 40 2/3 innings.
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals had been held to just one hit, a single by Yadier Molina, before Martinez homered with two outs in the sixth. He had 206 at-bats in the majors without a home run … The last starting pitcher for the Cardinals who homered later than the bottom of the sixth was Mark Mulder in the seventh inning on April 10, 2006 … It also was the latest inning in which the pitcher broke up a 0-0 game with a home run in franchise history. The previous mark had been in the top of the fifth, by Nelson Briles, on June 21, 1969 at New York … Dexter Fowler increased the lead to 3-0 with a two-run homer, his fourth of the season, in the seventh … Five of the six runs scored by the Cardinals in the two-game sweep of the White Sox came on their four home runs.
On the mound: Martinez was pulled after 99 pitches with a runner on second base, and he later scored off Dominic Leone … Norris came in to get the final four outs, earning his sixth save. Norris has stranded all 11 hitters he has inherited this season.
Key stat: Martinez held the White Sox without a hit in eight at-bats wih a runner in scoring position and has allowed just one hit in 38 at-bats this season with a runner on either second or third base, the best mark in the major leagues.
Worth noting: Adam Wainwright threw a bullpen as scheduled before the game, but a decision has not been made on when he will come off the disabled list and make his next start … Alex Reyes is scheduled to start Friday’s game for the Cardinals’ extended spring training team against the Mets.
Looking ahead: After Thursday’s day off, the Cubs will make their first trip to Busch Stadium for a three-game series beginning on Friday night. Miles Mikolas is scheduled to start.
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Post Game Audio:
Wednesday Post-Game Audio: Matheny, Fowler, C. Martinez, Norris http://www.stlsportspage.com/CARDSBASEBALL/tabid/91/entryid/12257/wednesday-post-game-audio-matheny-fowler-c-martinez-norris.aspx
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