Martinez wins one for Taveras - STLtoday.com
Moments from Oscar Taveras’ brief career as a Cardinal played on the scoreboard above Martinez as he readied for the game in the bullpen. Many of Martinez’s teammates lined the dugout as the team marked the year anniversary of Taveras’ major-league debut by showing highlights that included the homer he hit in his second big-league at-bat and that grin he gave during his first... Whether fueled by those emotions or focused by them — or both — Martinez had his finest game yet as a starter, throwing seven shutout innings and elevating the Cardinals to a 3-1 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 23-year-old righthander extended his scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings over three starts — the longest streak in the National League this season. Jhonny Peralta, a close mentor to Martinez and Taveras, provided all three of the Cardinals’ runs. His two-run homer in the first inning supported Martinez (5-2) and an RBI single in the eighth answered LA’s only offense, a homer by Joc Pederson. • CARDS CHAT: Derrick Goold Live at 11 a. m. In front of 45,285 fans — the 10th sellout of the season — the win improved the Cardinals to 20-6 at home and 33-17. Their current winning percentage would result in a 107-win season. “The guys who were probably the two closest to Oscar were the two guys who really shined,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. Source: www.stltoday.com
