ST. LOUIS _ As much as Jose Martinez has wondered what to do to bring attention to the combustible turmoil in his homeland, Venezuela, and keep in touch with his young son, he has also wanted to show his guest the best of what the majors have to offer.
After all, everyone likes to impress their mother.
Martinez's mother, Evelyn, has been visiting her son for the better part of this month, and her stay has included trips to Chicago and Cincinnati, and parts of two home stands, including this one. Oh, and now a first for her son.
Martinez drilled two home runs for his first multi-homer game in the majors. His first homer started the Cardinals' scoring and his last one punctuated it during the team's 6-0 victory in the afternoon game against Milwaukee at Busch Stadium.
Martinez's solo homer in the fifth inning made a winner of Lance Lynn (5-3), and his home run in the eighth inning came as the bullpen completed its four scoreless innings of work. The second home traveled an estimated 436 feet into the left-center bleachers. Manager Mike Matheny noted how Martinez pointed each time he crossed home plate to his mother, Evelyn.
"You could tell," Matheny said. "We talk about those dangerous hitters, and he is one."
Tyler Lyons got a save for working the final three innings.
Since injuring his groin outrunning a throw in Atlanta early last month, Martinez has looked for the thump in his bat, and he's doing so now even as the Cardinals prepare to promote Randal Grichuk and possible bit into Martinez's playing time. In the eight games he's played since returning from the disabled list, he's gone 3 for 30 and all three of the hits were singles.
Those were his only times on base, too.
The homers perk up his average which had started to shrink to .265, and they could also have scored him a start in the second game. The Cardinals could buy Dexter Fowler an evening break with Martinez moving to left field to make room for Stephen Piscotty's return.
Fowler singled twice and drove home a run in the win.
The Cardinals (30-32) have won four consecutive games, and they trimmed the first-place Brewers' record down to 33-32 heading into Game 2.
