Martinez retired the lone batter he faced in relief and collected his second hold of the season in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Cardinals.
Martinez had made four straight appearances as a starter from Aug. 9 through Aug. 26, but his last two outings have come out of the bullpen. Though the Reds scratched Nick Lodolo (illness) ahead of Tuesday's 12-9 loss to the Blue Jays, Martinez wasn't called upon for a spot start, as Cincinnati instead had Scott Barlow open the contest before he was followed by five other relievers. Cincinnati could consider moving Martinez back into the rotation if Lodolo ends up requiring a stint on the injured list, though the expectation at this time is that Lodolo will be ready to go the next time the Reds need a fifth starter.
Martinez (10-10) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers.
In what was likely the last chance to maintain a rotation spot, Martinez didn't put forth a good performance in a tough matchup. He faded in the sixth inning and took his first loss since July 8 versus the Marlins. He's had mixed results in August, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) over 23.1 innings across five appearances (four starts). Martinez is at a 4.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 108:36 K:BB through 150.1 innings over 29 outings (26 starts) this year. He'll likely cede his spot in the rotation to Nick Lodolo (finger), who is expected to return from the injured list to start Wednesday's series finale in Los Angeles.
Martinez allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday.
The only run Martinez allowed came on a Yoan Moncada solo homer in the fourth inning. Aside from that, the veteran hurler was sharp, as he allowed just one other batter to reach second base and finished his outing by retiring the final eight hitters he faced. After a brief move to the bullpen in early August, Martinez has started in each of his past three outings, picking up two quality starts in that span (though his other appearance was a dud during which he allowed five earned runs across 2.2 frames). Both Chase Burns (elbow) and Nick Lodolo (finger) are currently on the injured list, but neither is dealing with what's expected to be a long-term absence, so it's unclear if Martinez will get another turn in the rotation.
Martinez did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Brewers, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and no walks with one strikeout over 2.2 innings.
Martinez was spotted an early 8-1 lead before giving up five runs in the third inning. He generated just two whiffs on 61 pitches and allowed four extra-base hits, including two homers. It ended a streak of six straight outings with two earned runs or fewer for the 35-year-old, who now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 98:33 K:BB across 139 innings (24 starts) this season. With Chase Burns (elbow) hitting the injured list Friday, Martinez should remain in the rotation, lining up for a road matchup with the Angels next week.
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