JUPITER, Fla. • It didn't take long for Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez to reveal how ready he was to start Thursday night in Miami for the Dominican Republic or how much he relished the international stage of his first World Baseball Classic start.
It's hard to hide 100 mph.
Martinez sped through four innings for the Dominican Republic as it took an early lead against Canada in both country's opening game of pool play. Martinez threw fastballs at 101 mph and 100 mph in his first inning of work. Justin Morneau, a former American League MVP, grounded out on a 101-mph pitch from Martinez.