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Astros’ Martes sharp in final Fall League start
- Updated: November 18, 2016
PEORIA, Ariz. — With a trip to the Arizona Fall League championship at stake, the Glendale Desert Dogs turned to their top hurler, Francis Martes, on the final day of the regular season — and the No. 29 overall prospect did not disappoint.
“I wanted to give it my best today,” Martes said after the game through a translator. “I wanted to be proud to help us get that [championship] ring.”
• Gameday
The Astros’ top prospect turned in his best AFL start, allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings to pace Glendale in a 3-1 win over the Peoria Javelinas at Peoria Stadium. However, a victory by Surprise over Salt River ultimately put an end to Glendale’s playoff chances, with the Desert Dogs (17-15) finishing a half-game back of the Saguaros (17-14-1) in the AFL West division.
Martes, 20, issued a pair of walks and struck out seven, matching his Fall League-high, while throwing 40 of his 60 pitches for strikes. He operated at 93-97 mph with his fastball, topping out at 98, and showed feel for commanding it, both laterally and vertically, throughout.
Meanwhile, Martes’ sharp, late-breaking slider at 83-84 mph was even more impressive, as he used the pitch to record six of his seven strikeouts, including four called third strikes.
“My …
