J.D. Martinez Clubs RBI Double in Mets Debut
The Mets came up short on Friday night against the Cardinals, dropping the series opener 4-2 at home. One of the big stories for the Mets coming out of Friday night’s matchup was J.D. Martinez’s first game as a Met. And he showed why the wait was worth it.
Martinez served as the designated hitter for the Mets on Friday and batted fifth. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the Mets’ loss.
Apr 26, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) hits an RBI double during the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Martinez’s first hit came in the bottom of the second on a lead-off single to right field. The Mets’ remaining offense in the inning left Martinez stranded on the base pads.
His second hit and his biggest of the day was in the bottom of the sixth, hitting an RBI double to right field, his second opposite-field drive that scored Francisco Lindor to bring the Mets within two runs of the Cardinals. However, the Mets were unable to make up the additional two runs as they went on to drop the game to the Cardinals.
The Martinez double was a classic Martinez base hit. A ball drove the other way at 101.1 miles per hour. It mirrored the other base hits Martinez hit in Syracuse on his rehab, which had similarly high exit velocities.
Despite taking the loss, the addition of Martinez transforms the Mets’ offense. It provides the lineup with another run producer, and is extra reinforcement while Lindor and Pete Alonso continue to struggle with runners in scoring position (6-for-46 combined).
J.D. Martinez, New York Met!!
J.D. delivers with an opposite field RBI double in his first opportunity with RISP!
pic.twitter.com/fLmJ4tzSHo— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) April 27, 2024
Martinez spoke to the media after the game. He stated, he was “Just trying to go up there and be competitive. Put the ball forward. I did it twice,” he said. “The other ones (two strikeouts) I didn’t put it forward. It happens. To me, it’s just getting my bearings and getting my routine again.”
Specifically speaking on the RBI double he hit in the sixth that scored Lindor, Martinez said, “I know I hit it on the barrel,” Martinez said. “Thought maybe I sliced it a little bit. Just hoping it got over his head and off the wall, if not over it.”
Martinez said all-in-all, he “feels good.” He said getting a hit is “always good.”
Martinez will have another chance at the plate in Saturday’s matchup against the Cardinals. He faces Sonny Gray (2-1, 1.04 ERA), who he is 4-for-10 against with one homer and five RBIs.
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