J.D. (2 HRs) setting up D-backs for stretch run

July 26th, 2017

PHOENIX -- This was what the Arizona front office had in mind when it made the decision to trade for J.D. Martinez on July 18.
In his third start at Chase Field with the D-backs, Martinez blasted two homers and drove in four runs as Arizona slugged its way to a 10-3 win over the Braves on Wednesday. It was Martinez's third multi-home run game of the year, and he now has three home runs in as many days since returning to the starting lineup on Monday.
"I'm just trying to play my game and play baseball like I know how to play it and do what I know how to do," Martinez said. "And that's hit the ball, and hit the ball in the air. That's what I like to do and I just want to continue to do that while i'm here."
Martinez's first homer came on a 2-1 fastball in the fourth inning, and left his bat at 109.4 mph before being deposited into the left-center-field bleachers.
In the eighth, Martinez worked a full count in an eight-pitch at-bat, and then took a hanging curveball the other way for a 410-foot shot.
"I wasn't seeing the ball too well up until today," Martinez said. "But [Chase Field] is definitely a nice park to hit in. It's got a really nice, big hitters eye. The ball caroms really well here. I like it so far."
Martinez's big day came packaged with a standout performance from , who went 2-for-2 with two doubles and three walks while hitting one spot in front of Martinez. With both sluggers clicking, Arizona's offense was just as potent on Wednesday as many fans had hoped it would be when Martinez returned from a hand injury that kept him sidelined over the weekend. All told, the D-backs finished with 8 extra-base hits on the day.
"It's a scary 3-4-5 right there," , who roped an two-RBI triple in the third, said. "I wouldn't want to be a pitcher having to go through those guys. J.D. really lengthens up the middle of our order for us."