- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Crowd sourced: Fans carry J.D. to winning HR
- Updated: August 4, 2016
DETROIT — J.D. Martinez hadn’t seen a Major League pitch in about six weeks when he stepped into the on-deck circle heading into the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday night. He had a week-long Minor League rehab assignment, but he hadn’t seen the likes of Chris Sale staring back at him from the mound.
Then came the roar from the crowd.
“I wasn’t expecting to get that kind of ovation that they gave me when I was walking in,” Martinez said. “That was awesome. If I could thank the fans individually, I would thank them. That was really cool.”
Asked how his first big league fastball since June 16 ended up in the shrubs of Comerica Park’s center field, turning a pitching duel into a 2-1 Tigers win over the White Sox, he went back to the ovation. He knew his history of success against Sale, including a go-ahead, two-run homer here June 4 — 12 days before his collision with the fence at Kauffman Stadium broke a bone in his elbow — but that became secondary for him.
Once he heard the reaction and stepped into the box, he said, he went on reactions.
“I think at that point, your adrenaline takes over,” Martinez said. “It’s almost like you’re not thinking about anything. You’re just playing the game. That’s the crowd, my first game back, the …
continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com
