CHICAGO (AP) — Davis Martin added another impressive performance to his breakout season for the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
Martin struck out seven in six sparkling innings against the crosstown rival Cubs at Rate Field. The right-hander allowed five hits and walked none.
The 29-year-old Martin retired his first nine batters. He got some help in the third when center fielder Tristan Peters made a diving catch on Matt Shaw’s sinking liner for the first out of the inning.
The Cubs got their first baserunner in the fourth when Nico Hoerner hit a grounder up the middle for a leadoff single. Facing runners on the corners, Martin struck out Ian Happ looking and got Seiya Suzuki to bounce into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.
Martin surrendered a leadoff homer to Miguel Amaya in the sixth. The Cubs put runners on second and third with one out, but Martin escaped the jam by striking out Happ and Suzuki.
The White Sox had an 8-1 lead when Martin departed.
Martin lowered his ERA to 1.61 in nine starts this season. He has 59 strikeouts and 10 walks in 56 innings.
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