JUPITER, Fla. • Carlos Martinez hadn’t started for the Cardinals for three weeks because of his detour for the World Baseball Classic. Before he had left, Martinez threw three innings of one-hit shutout ball against the New York Mets. Upon his return, Martinez spun five innings of scoreless ball against Washington here on Wednesday, allowing just three hits, in a 6-1 Cardinals victory.
Martinez will have one more exhibition start on Monday and then a week from Sunday will be the Cardinals’ Opening Night starter at home against the World Series champion Chicago Cubs.
Matt Carpenter, who had had three runs batted in an exhibition schedule shortened by injury, had four on Wednesday, two on a triple, one on a single and another on a sacrifice fly.