While position players being called upon to pitch has increased in frequency over recent seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers have largely avoided the trend. The exception to that, however, is Russell Martin, who now has twice taken the mound this year.
His pitching debut came in a rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30. After a seven-run eighth inning blew the game open, Martin was tasked with recording the final three outs. He did so with ease, setting the Diamondbacks down in order on 10 pitches (eight strikes).
Martin became the first position player to finish the ninth inning of a win since left fielder Willie Smith did so for the Detroit Tigers in 1963. He additionally was the first full-time position player to toss a 1-2-3 ninth inning of a win since at least 1925.
The circumstances for Martin’s second career pitching appearance — again against the Diamondbacks — were lopsided against the Dodgers. They trailed 8-2 but the veteran catcher viewed it as an opportunity to keep the team in the game and believes there’s more behind the 90 mph fastballs he threw, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I felt like six runs, we’re still in striking distance, so I was going to make ’em earn it. I gave them my best stuff. … I think I can squeeze another mile an hour or two if I need it. I think I’ve been clocked throwing to second base, 87-88 (mph), so I figured that I could probably touch 90.”
Martin’s competitive spirit didn’t necessarily align with the directive Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave him:
“We told him, don’t hurt himself. Which, hopefully he didn’t. Reading between the lines, that kind of means just get it moving forward and not letting it fly. I guess he’s a little bit of a spin rate guy who pitches at the top of the zone. … Offensively, he wasn’t happy, so that kind of salvaged his day.”
Showing surprising velocity, Martin again tossed a perfect inning of relief, complete with one strikeout.
The Dodgers failed to mount a comeback and lost their first series since being swept by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from June 10-11. They now head to Coors Field for a four-game series with their bullpen generally in good standing.
Though, Cody Bellinger is dealing with knee tendinitis that’s been an issue since last month. Bellinger was removed in the bottom of the sixth, and Roberts maintained the nagging injury is not serious.
