The route Carlos Martinez walked between wins as a starter took him to the injured list, shoulder surgery, the bullpen and nearly back there again before he found himself Tuesday with the game in his hand and a long-awaited win to squeeze.
He did it with alacrity — and one hop of disappointment.
Unfazed by anything behind him or even an error of his own, Martinez traipsed through the Philadelphia Phillies for 7 1/3 strong innings and a 5-2 victory Tuesday at Busch Stadium. Martinez’s first win of the season was also his first win as a starter since July 7, 2019. Martinez struck out four, allowed one earned run, and limited the Phillies to two hits. When he was removed from the game in the middle of the eighth, he jumped off the mound and away as the manager approached before turning and surrendering the ball.
