Jun 21, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) rounds the bases on his two run home run during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
#1 Hero: J.D. Martinez
Seemingly happy to have his Super Martinez Bros. comrade back in the lineup, J.D. Martinez came through with a week that resembled most weeks for him in 2014.
While the duo are no longer hitting back-to-back at this time, they are still playing off each other well. In Sunday’s first inning, Victor Martinez hit his second homer of the season, and first since coming back off the DL Friday. Two batters later, J.D. stepped up and launched his second homer of the week, and first of three on the afternoon.
Martinez became the first player to hit three homers in New York against the Yankees since Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals did it in 1990, and first Tiger to do it against New York since Charlie Maxwell at Briggs Stadium in 1959. It was the first time he has notched three homers in his career and became the first Tigers to do it since Miguel Cabrera hit the trifecta mark in August 2013.
In addition to the homers, J.D. Mart was getting on base a lot, earning nine hits and scoring five runs.
An inconsistent offense is getting a little more punch lately with Cabrera’s hot streak, J.D.’s rise from the ashes and Victor’s return.
Let’s hope this unit can keep it up and the pitching can start to come around.