Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez pitched two big innings Thursday, striking out three and allowing just one hit while holding the Red Sox scoreless to preserve a two-run lead in his team's Game 2, 4-2 win.
Martinez breezed through the seventh inning but ran into trouble in the eighth after a fielding error by second baseman Matt Carpenter on a tough Jacoby Ellsbury grounder was followed up with a two-out single by David Ortiz. However, Martinez induced a pop up to the shortstop to maintain the Cardinals' lead heading into the ninth. It was an excellent showing after Martinez allowed a run during his team's 8-1 loss in Game 1, and manager Mike Matheny showed great trust in the youngster by sticking with him for two innings.