Michael Martinez is the Unlikely Hero in Phillies Win Over Mets
By: Mike Reisman
Since the beginning of the season, the Phillies Rule 5 pick from last years Rule 5 Draft, Michael Martinez has been disappointing, coming into today's game batting just .213 with nine RBIs and no home runs. However, due probably to the rules of the Rule 5 Draft, Martinez has been kept on the Phillies major league club, despite heavy criticism. Today though, Martinez got the start for the injured third baseman Placido Polanco, and for what seems like the first time all season, he proved his worth.
After the 11-2 beat-down that the Phillies received yesterday, the team sent Kyle Kendrick to the mound to try to comeback, and salvage a series win. Though Kendrick is not an ace, he didn't need to be, getting early run support from a Ryan Howard single in the 1st.
However, the big support wouldn't come until the 5th inning, when Michael Martinez hit his first home run of the year, a three run shot, putting the Phillies up by four runs. He would hit a sacrifice fly in the 7th, giving him nearly half the RBIs he came into the game with.
The Mets would get on the scoreboard later in the 7th, but the Phillies would extend their lead in the 8th making the score 8-1. But the Mets would not give up, matching the Phillies three runs in the 8th, and adding a run against Antonio Bastardo in the 9th. However, the Phillies would still be on top at the end, winning 8-5.
Today's game truly exposed the Phillies bullpen, as the Mets were able to score four runs off of the 'pen, two against Juan Perez and one against both Ryan Madson and Antonio Bastardo. The bullpen has been excellent up to this point, however, with recent injuries leaving the bullpen somewhat depleted, they have been struggling. Though this is nothing to be worried about yet, the Phillies may want to keep a close eye on the performances of the bullpen, and if their play doesn't improve, they may want to look to add an extra pitcher.
The Phillies travel to Chicago to play the Cubs tomorrow starting at 8:10, with Cliff Lee taking on Rodrigo Lopez.