More recently, he was coming in a few innings later when the Missions used Reggie Lawson like an opener.
Martinez was back to being a starter on Friday night. The 6-foot-2 right-hander from Mexico pitched six hitless innings and struck out nine batters.
The Missions beat the Corpus Christi Hooks 3-1 at Wolff Stadium. The Missions have a modest two-game winning streak after going through a rough stretch that included a winless road series against Frisco.
Martinez (3-3) got the win. Mason Fox and Henry Henry followed with one inning each on the mound. Joe Beimel threw a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth for his first save of the season in only his second appearance, both coming this week.
Combined, the four Missions pitchers held the Hooks to two hits and two walks while striking out 10.
Missions batters had only four hits, but came through at the right time and took advantage of two Hooks errors.
Michael Curry hit his first home run of the season in the third inning for the Missions’ first run of the game.
Jack Suwinski smoked a ground ball down the first base line to drive in Jose Azocar in the fifth. Eguy Rosario scored in the eighth on a Juan Fernandez bunt combined with a Hooks error.
