Just dingers: ‘In a rhythm,’ Martinez HRs in third straight

LOS ANGELES — When the Dodgers have been constructing their roster this offseason, they have been thrilled in regards to the high three within the lineup. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith make up probably the greatest three-headed monsters within the Majors, they usually haven’t dissatisfied this season.

But because the Dodgers seemed to spherical up the remainder of the lineup, they salivated on the alternative of including J.D. Martinez, a three-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star, to hit behind their trio of stars.

Also not disappointing up to now in his first season in Los Angeles is Martinez, because the 35-year-old is presently using a 14-game hitting streak, which was capped off with a two-run homer to assist the Dodgers beat the Nationals, 9-3, on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

“Feels like I’m in a rhythm right now at the plate,” Martinez mentioned. “Just happy we’re winning and it’s our lineup. I keep talking about it, but it’s a potent lineup up and down.”

Freeman additionally went 4-for-5 with a homer, extending his hitting streak to a Dodgers season-high 19 video games. During his hitting streak, Freeman is 35-for-77 (.455), with 5 homers and 12 doubles. Jason Heyward additionally chipped in with a solo homer and Max Muncy and Betts every collected two hits.

But the largest hit of the night time got here off the bat of Martinez. With the Dodgers holding on to a one-run lead within the seventh after six sturdy innings from Tony Gonsolin, Martinez gave Los Angeles some respiratory room with a two-run homer to straightaway middle area. That helped open the floodgates, because the Dodgers scored 5 runs over the ultimate two innings.

“It was just consistent one through nine,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “Obviously, J.D. with the big homer two nights in a row, and then Freddie gave us a little bit of distance with his homer. All in all, really positive.”

Adding Martinez was a tricky choice by the Dodgers. Martinez was an All-Star final season with the Red Sox, however his manufacturing on the plate cooled off within the second half, when he posted only a .701 OPS over his final 58 video games.

The Dodgers, nonetheless, felt assured they might assist Martinez, particularly with an opportunity to reunite with hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc, who has been actually good pals with the designated hitter for fairly a while. Martinez and Betts additionally maintained a powerful relationship from their time collectively in Boston.

While the Dodgers took an opportunity on Martinez, together with letting longtime infielder Justin Turner stroll in free company, the veteran Martinez additionally took an enormous gamble on himself. He accepted much less cash and fewer assured years in free company simply to signal with the Dodgers.

Martinez’s begin to the season was a bit shaky, nonetheless, as he had a .231 batting common by means of 17 video games. He has admitted that he was “trying too hard” to impress his new teammates and group. Martinez even performed by means of a again damage that worsened and compelled him to overlook three weeks.

Since returning, Martinez has proven precisely what he’s able to in a lineup the place he would not should be the premier attraction. Martinez has recorded successful in 16 of the 17 video games he’s began, together with his present 14-game hitting streak. During the streak, Martinez has seven homers and 21 RBIs, and for the season he leads the National League with a .610 slugging share amongst hitters with not less than 160 plate appearances.

“He’s been doing it for a long time,” Freeman mentioned. “It’s enjoyable to observe somebody who’s so into attempting to excellent his craft. He’ll be the primary one to let you know that originally of his profession he was attempting to determine issues out — and he figured it out, and he’s preserving it so long as he can. … [I’m] glad the Dodgers signed him this previous offseason.”