The route Carlos Martinez walked between wins as a starter took him to the injured list, shoulder surgery, the bullpen and nearly back there again before he found himself Monday with the game in his hand and a long-awaited win to squeeze.
He did it with alacrity – and one hop of disappointment.
Unfazed by anything behind him or even an error of his own, Martinez traipsed through the Philadelphia Phillies for 7 1/3 strong innings and a 5-2 victory Tuesday at Busch Stadium. Martinez’s first win of the season was also his first win as a starter since July 7, 2019.