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.
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Secures seventh save
Rotowire
Martinez picked up the save over the Mets on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.
Martinez entered the contest in the top of the ninth, right after Arizona had just taken a three-run lead on an eighth-inning rally. He then needed just nine pitches to retire the side and secure his seventh save of the campaign. The right-handed reliever has now converted each of his last seven save opportunities, all of which have come in August. Martinez has also recorded at least one strikeout in six-consecutive outings and in 11 of 12 appearances this month.
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Recovers after leadoff homer
Rotowire
Martinez picked up the save Sunday against Boston, allowing a solo home run and no walks with one strikeout during the ninth inning.
Martinez inherited a three-run lead in the ninth frame and offered up a solo home run to Tyler O'Neill to start the inning. Martinez was able to shake off the long ball and retired Masataka Yoshida, Connor Wong and Romy Gonzalez in order to secure his sixth save of the season. Martinez emerged as the Diamondbacks' closer in August, and he's 6-for-6 in save opportunities this month. While manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he wants to get Paul Sewald back to being a closer, the team opted for Martinez in the ninth Sunday. The 22-year-old has been outstanding this season, posting a 2.02 ERA in 58 innings, and, for now, is the favorite to see save opportunities.
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Goes 1.2 frames for fifth save
Rotowire
Martinez earned a save against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 1.2 innings.
Martinez was called upon in the eighth inning with the Diamondbacks clinging to a one-run lead and the tying run on second base with one out. He struck out Xavier Edwards and got Geraldo Perdomo to fly out to escape the threat, then returned in the bottom of the ninth after Arizona put up two runs in the top half of the frame. Martinez made things interesting by surrendering a run and allowing the tying run to get to second base on a two-out wild pitch, but the rookie closer ultimately slammed the door with a game-ending strikeout. He's notched a save on consecutive days for the first time in his big-league career and remains the team's top option for save chances with Paul Sewald at least temporarily moved out of the closer role.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Earns fourth save
Rotowire
Martinez earned the save Tuesday against the Marlins, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Martinez was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth frame and did so on just seven pitches. He suffered losses in each of his past two appearances but has converted all four of his save chances in August. On the season, the 23-year-old owns a stellar 1.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 67:29 K:BB across 55.1 innings.
