PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks hard-throwing reliever Justin Martinez had an immaculate inning in the sixth against the Texas Rangers, striking out three straight batters on nine pitches.
The 25-year-old Martinez made quick work of Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter and Jake Burger with one foul ball, three called strikes and five swinging strikes. His fastball topped out at 102.6 mph.
Martinez missed much of the last two seasons because of Tommy John surgery and recently returned from the injured list. He hasn't given up a earned run over eight outings this year.
The immaculate inning was fifth in Arizona's history dating to 1998. Michael Soroka last accomplished the feat for the D-backs earlier this season on March 30.
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Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez, left, and Dennis Santana celebrate after their baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
ATLANTA (AP) — Drake Baldwin doubled to center field in the 11th inning to score Ha-Seong Kim from first base and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 on Friday night in the opening game of a key NL East series.
The first-place Braves extended their lead over the Phillies to five games. The teams split a four-game series in Philadelphia that began last Friday.
Luis Arraez's single to left field off Didier Fuentes (7-2) in the 11th drove in designated runner Garrett Stubbs to give Philadelphia a 5-4 lead. Kim's single off Brooks Raley (5-6) in the bottom of the inning drove in Ozzie Albies to tie it. Baldwin followed with the winning double.
Phillies right-hander Jonathan Bowlan blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth. Bowlan gave up a one-out single to Mike Yastrzemski. Pinch-runner DaShawn Keirsey Jr., who was recalled before the game, scored from first on Sean Murphy’s single up the middle and center fielder Derek Hill’s fielding error.
Aaron Nola gave up homers to Matt Olson in the first and Austin Riley in the seventh. Braves left-hander Chris Sale allowed three runs on only three hits in seven innings but struggled with two outs in the second. Edmundo Sosa singled before Sale walked Bryan De La Cruz and hit J.T. Realmuto with a pitch to load the bases. Derek Hill doubled off the center-field wall to drive in three runs.
The Braves placed outfielder Lane Thomas (strained left intercostal muscle) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday.
There was a pregame ceremony for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. A survivor of the attacks in New York, Atlanta resident Kayla Bergeron, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The start of the game was delayed 47 minutes by rain.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly said after the game LHP Jesús Luzardo would not make his scheduled start Saturday night due to left shoulder stiffness. A replacement starter was not named. RHP Tyler Mahle (5-10, 4.05) is Atlanta's scheduled starter.
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Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson follows through on a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale delivers to a Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
State and local law enforcement officers participate in a 25th anniversary ceremony for the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States before a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Chase Shugart warms up under rain threatening clouds before a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
