WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Cementing his bid to land an extra outfielder’s spot with the Cardinals, Jose Martinez launched his fourth homer of the spring, tied for the high on the club, when he connected for a two-run shot in the fourth inning Monday night.
Martinez’s drive to deep left center came off Houston righthander Joe Musgrove to cut the Astros’ lead to 4-2 and gave the career minor leaguer a team-high 12 runs batted in for the spring. Stephen Piscotty had singled to open the inning before Jedd Gyorko was robbed of a hit by center fielder Jake Marisnick.