In front of family and friends from his native Dominican Republic, including some who had never seen him pitch, Carlos Martinez settled down after a couple of shaky innings to strike out nine over seven innings and survive a 94 mph fastball to the arm while trying to lay down a bunt. The Cardinals rallied behind him for a 4-3 win over Miami at Marlins Park.
Martinez gave up a two-run homer in the first inning to Giancarlo Stanton, the major league home run and RBI leader. Stanton’s ball flew an estimated at 484 feet. He also allowed another run in the second before settling down. Martinez allowed eight hits and walked one. He improved to 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his past seven starts.
The offense came around to pick him up. Marlins starter Jose Urena allowed three runs in five innings, as Jason Heyward continued his hot streak, homering in the upper deck to right, then Xavier Scruggs hit a two-run double later in the fourth inning to tie the game 3-3.
The Cardinals went on top in the seventh when they loaded the bases and on a 3-2 count, Mark Reynolds rocketed a pitch right back up the middle off the right foot of pitcher Sam Dyson for an infield single to put the Cardinals up for good. Scruggs had three hits.
