CINCINNATI -- Jose Martinez needed just two at-bats against Reds starter Matt Harvey to record his first career multi-homer game in the Cardinals' 7-6 win in 10 innings Friday at Great American Ball Park.
The Cardinals' first baseman opened the scoring three batters into the game when he lifted a 1-0 slider to the opposite field and just over the right-field fence for a two-out solo shot in the first. In the third, Martinez, who came into the game with just one career at-bat against Harvey, clobbered a 1-1 changeup over the fence in left-center for a three-run home run to give the Cardinals a 5-1 advantage.
"The first one, I thought [the right fielder] had it for a second," Martinez said. "It just kept carrying. I will take it, for sure. The second one, I got a changeup up in the zone, and I wanted to drive the ball. I didn't want to hit into a double play."
The pair of long balls were the seventh and eighth home runs of the season for Martinez, who now has three home runs in his last two games. He homered in the first inning of Thursday's 4-1 home win over the Marlins.
"That is why I prepare every day to help the team win," Martinez said. "I feel like I have a lot of confidence right now, and today was just one of those days."