J.D. Martinez Did Something No Los Angeles Dodgers Player Has Done Since 1996 in the All-Star Game
The National League beat the American League, 3-2, on Tuesday night at the All-Star Game in Seattle.
It was the first win for the National League since 2012 and was propelled by a late home run from Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz.
But Diaz wasn't the only National League West All-Star that contributed. San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval got the win and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez contributed two hits.
With the multi-effort, he joined a special place in Dodgers history, doing something that hasn't been done in more than 20 years.
Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:
Dodgers with multiple hits in an ASG:
Today J.D. Martinez
1996 Mike Piazza
1978, 1975, 1974 Steve Garvey
1973 Willie Davis
1954 Duke Snider (3)
1953 Pee Wee Reese
1951 Gil Hodges
1951 Jackie Robinson
1944 Dixie Walker
1943, 1941 Billy Herman
It's difficult to record multi-hit games these days because you sometimes only get 1-2 at-bats, and the pitching in today's game is so elite. But Martinez singled off of Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi in the second inning and then doubled off of Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby in the top of the fourth.
Martinez, 35, is in his 13th year in the majors with the Astros, Tigers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Dodgers. This is first year in Los Angeles after signing a one-year deal this offseason. This was his sixth All-Star appearance in total. He's hitting .255 with 22 homers.
He helped lead the Boston Red Sox to the World Series in 2018. Perhaps the Dodgers will do the same this year.... they will enter the second half of the season in a tie for the National League West lead with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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