Nick Martinez was simply phenomenal in his season debut in Oakland last week, as the second-year pitcher held the A's scoreless over seven innings of work on just four hits with five strikeouts and two walks. To get through those seven innings, Martinez needed just 95 pitches and would've undoubtedly gone longer if it hadn't been his first start of the season.
Now, Martinez is looking to stop a little two-game skid and get the Rangers back in the win column when he makes his home debut on Tuesday night against the hated Los Angeles Angels.
Last year as a rookie, Martinez was an unheralded late addition to the rotation when Yu Darvish started the season on the DL, and he pretty much stuck for much of the season even though he'd only pitched five career games above the Class-A level at that point.
And as a rookie, the Angels were one of Martinez's favorite teams to face.
In his four appearances against the Angels (three starts), Martinez compiled a 3.32 ERA and allowed a paltry .195 batting average. He had 14 strikeouts and three walks in those four appearances, but due to the Rangers' general ineptitude, he posted an 0-2 record against the hated Halos.
On Tuesday night in his home debut, the Rangers hope he can turn that record around and get in the win column.
