The trade that sent outfielder J.D. Martinez to the Arizona Diamondbacks back in mid-July was the beginning of what is now a clear rebuild happening for the Detroit Tigers. For Martinez, he joined a Diamondbacks club that is in the thick of a playoff hunt out in the National League.
Through Sunday’s action, Martinez had 14 homers in 39 games with his new club. That total took a huge jump on Monday as the Snakes began a three-game series on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Martinez was the man of the hour, or should we say multiple hours? He turned Dodger Stadium into a little league field with this amazing performance.
J.D. for THREE. pic.twitter.com/9SmHqX4KLV
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2017
Have a night J.D. Martinez, this is his 4th HOME RUN OF THE NIGHT #DBacks
— Around The Bases POD (@AroundBasesPOD) September 5, 2017
If you’re scoring at home, that’s four dingers for Martinez — all off different pitchers — and six total runs batted in. The Diamondbacks dump-trucked the Dodgers 13-0 in Chavez Ravine for their 11th consecutive victory.
For Martinez, he becomes the 18th player ever to homer four times in a single game. Perhaps even more amazingly, he is the second player to accomplish that feat this season. Reds outfielder Scooter Gennett did so back on June 6 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
It’s also the second career such game of three or more homers for Martinez. Back on Father’s Day in 2015 when he was still a member of the Tigers, J.D. left the yard three times against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
Martinez completely upstages his teammate (and another former Tiger) Robbie Ray on Monday, who started for Arizona. The lefty twirled 7.2 scoreless innings against the Dodgers, allowing just three hits and striking out 14 batters.
Martinez is set to become a free agent this offseason and it’ll be very interesting to see the type of salary he garners on the open market.
