Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Enters in seventh inning
Rotowire
Martinez allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Giants.
The Diamondbacks were up, 5-1, when manager Torey Lovullo had Martinez enter the contest to open the seventh inning. He allowed the first two batters to reach but managed to wriggle out of danger. The right-hander was sent out to start the eighth and was removed after a double and single made it a 5-2 game. It's unclear why Lovullo had his closer enter what would normally be a low-leverage spot. Martinez has pitched at regular intervals over the past week, so it wasn't an issue of rust. Perhaps it was due to Lovullo's desire to end the team's three-game losing skid.
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Handed blown save, loss
Rotowire
Martinez (5-6) was charged with a blown save and the loss after allowing one run on three hits and no walks over one-third of an inning Sunday against the Brewers.
Arizona held an 8-0 lead after two and a half frames Sunday, but Martinez and the rest of the bullpen were unable to maintain the advantage. The right-hander entered with two outs in the eighth inning and the Diamondbacks leading 9-7, and he proceeded to give up three runs (two inherited runners) on two singles, a double and a wild pitch. A.J. Puk picked up a save Friday in Milwaukee, which combined with Martinez's save Sept. 4 account for Arizona's only saves so far this month. Martinez should be the favorite for saves in the final week of the regular season, but the lefty Puk is also in the mix.
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Secures eighth save
Rotowire
Martinez picked up the save in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Giants, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings.
Martinez entered with two outs in the eighth and the Giants up 7-5 and gave up an RBI single before retiring Luis Matos to get out of the inning. The Diamondbacks went on to score an insurance run in the bottom of the frame, and it proved to be a big one, as Martinez allowed two more hits and a run in the ninth but ultimately shut the door. Martinez is now a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances since taking over the closer role, but he has allowed six runs (four earned) over his last nine appearances. For the year, he holds a 2.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 78:31 K:BB in 62 innings.
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Takes loss Thursday
Rotowire
Martinez (5-5) took the loss Thursday to the Mets, allowing a run on two hits while striking out two over one inning.
Martinez was brought into a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning and was made to pay for Jesse Winker's double. He's allowed runs in three of the last four outings, but Martinez remains the Diamondbacks' primary closer for now.
