Bauman: Martinez’s return to form thrills Cards

MILWAUKEE — This was much more Cardinal-like.

Carlos Martinez, who in five previous May starts was 0-5 with a 6.84 ERA, was exactly what the Cardinals wanted him to be Monday, as he shut out the Brewers for eight innings with a powerful, dominating performance.

Even more encouraging for the Cards was Martinez’s start represented a turn through the entire St. Louis rotation with nobody pitching any less than capably and in some cases pitching extraordinarily well.

Mike Leake, Jaime Garcia, Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha, had performed well against the Nationals in a series completed Sunday. Monday, on a splendid, 80-degree Memorial Day at Miller Park, it was Martinez’s turn.

He essentially returned to the form that he had demonstrated in April when he went 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA. His eight innings led the way as the Cardinals defeated the Brewers, 6-0. Martinez allowed five hits, all of them singles, walked just one and struck out eight.

His velocity reached as high as 100 mph, in the sixth inning. One sinking fastball checked in at 98.

“That was phenomenal,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “That’s who he can be. He can be as dominating as anybody in the game when he puts it all together.

“He had everything he needed. He used his breaking ball, even featured his curveball. His changeup was good, his slider was tough to pick up. And he had a plus-plus fastball.”

For Martinez, the key to this performance was a pervasive feeling of focus and calmness on the mound.

“My main focus was to stay calm and stay focused on home plate, and this was the result — a great game,” Martinez said through an interpreter.

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