Carlos Martinez made his case on Thursday for being included on the National League All-Star team by pitching seven and one-third scoreless innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-1, in a matchup between the teams with the best records in the major leagues.
Martinez (10-3) scattered four hits, striking out five and walking three in improving to 7-1 with a 1.20 E.R.A. in his last 10 starts.
Martinez is one of the five players contending for the N.L.’s All-Star Final Vote. Fan voting ends Friday afternoon and the game will be played Tuesday in Cincinnati.