Martinez blasts four HRs
LOS ANGELES: JD Martinez tied a major league record by hitting four home runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 13-0 on Monday night for their 11th straight victory.
Martinez became the 18th player in major league history to hit four homers in a game, and the 16th in the modern era.
Earlier this year, Scooter Gennett accomplished the feat for Cincinnati.
Martinez hit a two-run shot in the fourth off Dodgers starter Rich Hill (9-7). Martinez added solo homers in the seventh and eighth innings before capping his power show with a two-run drive in the ninth.
Robbie Ray (12-5) struck out a careerhigh 14 in 7 2/3 innings. The last time Arizona won 11 in a row was June 18-30, 2003.
In Chicago, Jose Ramirez homered again and Trevor Bauer earned his eighth straight win as the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 for their 12th victory in a row.
Ramirez connected a day after tying the major league record with five extra-base hits, including two homers.
Bauer (15-8) gave up two runs on three hits, striking out nine in 6 1/3 innings. The AL Central leaders moved closer to the team-record 14-game winning streak they posted last season.
James Shields (2-6) kept the White Sox in the game before taking a line drive by Francisco Mejia off the knee in the seventh. Shields limped off the field after his 11th consecutive start without a win, and is considered day-to-day.
Cody Allen worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless ninth for his 24th save in 28 chances.
In Pittsburgh, Cubs ace Jake Arrieta exited in the third inning with a hamstring cramp, and Pittsburgh routed the NL Central leaders 12-0
Arrieta (14-9) clutched his leg in obvious pain.
The 2015 Cy Young Award winner tried to stretch out his right leg during a visit by manager Joe Maddon and the trainers, but a test pitch ended with Arrieta unable to let go of the ball.
Arrieta said he thinks he’ll be able to make his next scheduled start on Saturday against Milwaukee.
Josh Bell broke the NL record for most home runs by a rookie switch-hitter with his 24th. He topped the 23 by Chipper Jones for Atlanta in 1995.
Chad Kuhl (7-10) allowed four hits in seven innings. The Pirates have won three in a row.