Diamondbacks roll
Greinke throws 8 strong, Martinez hits home run in win over Braves
PHOENIX — J.D. Martinez’s time as an Arizona Diamondback started a little rough. Last week in his debut with the team, he was hit in the hand with a pitch, and didn’t return to the starting lineup until Monday night.
Add to that the adjustment and logistics of moving from Detroit to Phoenix and getting acclimated to a new team that is in contention for the postseason.
But after going hitless in his first five at-bats as a Diamondback, Martinez hit a three-run home run to help Zack Greinke and Arizona cruise to a 10-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.
Martinez, who came over in a trade with the Detroit Tigers last week, hammered a 1-2 pitch from reliever Matt Wisler high off the center field batters eye with nobody out in the bottom of the sixth. It was his 17th home run of the season.
“Definitely felt good just to be able to get that monkey off my back,” Martinez said, “and just get that first hit and contribute to the team.”
Martinez admitted he was pressing a little to try to show his new team and its fans what he can do.
“He’s just getting his feet on the ground,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I know that he wants to impress people, that’s just the nature of the game ... today was a great moment for him.”
Greinke (12-4) pitched eight innings and allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts. He’s 10-0 in 12 starts at Chase Field this season. Greinke added a run-scoring double in the second inning and a pair of sacrifices.
“Command was as good as it’s been in a while,” Greinke said.
A.J. Pollock hit a two-run