Jays’ Martin back in swing of things
Veteran catcher plays pivotal role in rout of Phillies
The final score Tuesday at the Rogers Centre indicated a rout. The Blue Jays took an early lead and went on to crush the Phillies 11-3, earning a split in the first half of the home-and-home series headed to Citizens Bank Park for two more contests.
But after being shut out at home the day before, the early key for the Jays in Game 2 in front of a matinee sellout crowd could very well have been catcher Russell Martin’s two-out single to drive in the first run of the game. He followed that by changing the momentum in the third, throwing out the speedy Peter Bourjos attempting to steal.
For the Jays’ veteran catcher, such moments have been rare.
With runners on first and third, Martin slashed a single to centre with Josh Donaldson trotting home for the early lead. Despite fans’ lingering feelings that Martin remains in a slump with the bat, the Montreal native has now driven in 14 runs in his last 17 games.
He credits, in part, the fact he has dropped a half-inch and a half-ounce on all his custom-ordered bats — down from 34” and 32 ounces.
“I feel like I’m seeing the ball extremely well right now,” Martin explained. “I’m recognizing spin, I’m seeing the ball early. Dropping down the bat has helped out, just gives me that fraction of a second more to pick up the ball and then I can trust my hands because I feel them firing.”
As for the sickly early-season percentage of gunning down base-runners, you don’t have to tell him; he knows what the numbers say. Martin entered the season with a career success rate of 27.9 per cent but, after throwing out just his fifth runner in 36 attempts, the 2016 number for throwing out would-be base-stealers stands at 13.9 per cent.
“I don’t feel like teams are running a ton,” Martin explained. “There’s been a gang of stolen bases where I haven’t even attempted to throw. When that happens there’s nothing you can do. If I don’t throw the ball it’s because I know the guy’s going to be safe. I don’t even think it’s an issue for our team. I feel like teams respect what I can do behind the plate. It’s never really an issue where it’s like a field day out there. If they (steal) a bag, I always feel like they’re taking a chance.”
Another popular misconception regarding the current Jays is that the offence remains in a funk and shows no signs of an upturn.
The truth is Edwin Encarnacion’s power swing is getting into a groove, Donaldson is regaining his swagger, Michael Saunders has performed above expectations in a power spot in the lineup and Martin continues to heat up.
On Tuesday, Martin hit fifth in the order, a spot to which he has responded well, going 4-for-11, .364 with a homer, four RBI and a 1.136 OPS. With Troy Tulowitzki sidelined indefinitely, he’s in a good place to produce.
“I definitely like hitting in an RBI spot,” Martin said.
“There’s always guys on base. We have depth in our lineup. We have guys that can battle and grind through at-bats and then hit the ball out of the ballpark, up and down. But what I like seeing is just guys battling. Not giving at-bats away and being tough outs. That’s something that you see from us, one through nine, on any given day. Even when a pitcher’s dealing out there, I’m feeling as if he has to work to get through this lineup.”
Even with Josh Thole assigned to catch R.A. Dickey’s knuckleball every fifth day and even with several nagging injuries that have slowed him, Martin has managed to start 49 games behind the plate, on pace for 119 for the season. He reported to camp at a reduced weight that helps him carry the heavy load. With Martin as a starter, the Jays’ record is 30-19, 11 games above .500. Wins do matter.
“The bottom line is you want those W’s,” Martin said. “That’s really the only stat that matters at the end of the day. You get a W or an L. Whether you’re 4-for-4 or 0-for-4 when you get a win, that’s what you’re looking for.”
Martin is one of the unheralded leaders in a Toronto clubhouse that imports a culture of winning and self-governance, along with guys like Donaldson and Jose Bautista. The 33-year-old Martin was a teammate of veteran reliever Jason Grilli in Pittsburgh and is excited he’s on-board again.
“Really super-passionate, lot of emotion, good energy,” Martin explained. “He can lift the spirits up for guys that have been struggling back there. He’s been through it all. He’s been banged up. He’s had ups, he’s had downs. He’s an easy guy to talk to and he’s all about winning. I think he was the missing link in that bullpen that we needed. You stop worrying about what you’re doing personally. Just go out there thinking about winning, or trying to win, and everything takes care of itself.”
Despite Martin’s infectious optimism, there are still valid concerns for the Jays, many focused on injuries.
There’s Tulowitzki (quad) and Brett Cecil (triceps) on the DL, plus daily health checks on Bautista (quad), Saunders (hamstring), Encarnacion (finger) and Donaldson (leg).
By the way, when was the last time 21-year-old closer Roberto Osuna warmed up to pitch the ninth?