ST. LOUIS (AP) Chris Herrmann got the Arizona Diamondbacks’ offense started against Carlos Martinez. Then he helped them finish the job.
Herrmann had a two-run single in the first inning and homered off infielder Ruben Tejada in the ninth, providing a bit of cushion for a bullpen that faltered in an 11-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
“Just to come out and put up two runs in the first inning is huge,” Herrmann said. “I know he’s been struggling but we don’t want him to feel comfortable out there.”
Patrick Corbin struck out seven and Michael Bourn and Chris Owings added two RBIs apiece for the Diamondbacks, who are 13-7 on the road and 7-17 at home.
“I wouldn’t say we’re so good on the road, I’d say we’ve been poor at home,” manager Chip Hale. “I think it is really the way we should be playing, and we’ll have to do that at home also.”
They pulled away with seven runs over the last two innings and have won nine of 10 road series openers dating to last September.
Martinez (4-4) allowed four runs in five innings and has lost his last four starts after winning the first four. His last victory was April 26 at Arizona when he allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings.
“I thought he had a little trouble finding his fastball command,” manager Mike Matheny said.
Reliever Jonathan Broxton was charged with five runs in one-third of an inning in the eighth and Tejada made his major league pitching debut, surrendering consecutive homers to Herrmann and Brandon Drury.
“Sometimes you can bring in a guy that’s a little under the radar throwing lollypops up there,” Matheny said. “Their hitters were having to concentrate because his arm is good enough.”
Herrmann’s homer to right was estimated at 414 feet.
“I think I got jammed a little bit,” Herrmann joked. “No, no, it felt good. I know if was off a position player, but I guess they all count.”
Corbin (2-3) allowed two runs and four hits in 6 1-3 innings with four walks, and helped himself in the fifth when he singled for his sixth hit of the season – one behind Francisco Liriano for the most in the majors by a pitcher – and scored. The left-hander had been 0-2 in his previous five starts.
“I felt good, just a little frustrated with the four walks,” Corbin said.
Jean Segura had an RBI with two hits and has 10 in five games against St. Louis this season. He has hit in 10 straight on the road.
Aledmys Diaz had two hits and two RBIs for the Cardinals, who scored five runs in the ninth to make it semi-close. Rookie Jake Barrett got the final out for his first career save.
During his slump, Martinez has surrendered 13 earned runs in 20 innings. Center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker saved two runs with a diving catch near the warning track to end the first, denying Drury extra bases.
BIG OUTS
Corbin has limited No. 3 hitters to two hits in 24 at-bats with no extra-base hits, including three at-bats by Matt Hollidaywithout getting a ball out of the infield.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: RHP Josh Collmenter (shoulder) will make his fifth rehab start on Sunday for Triple-A Reno. He’s expected to make one more rehab appearance before the team must make a decision.
Cardinals: OF Randal Grichuk (back) was out of the lineup but walked as a pinch hitter in the seventh. … SS Jhonny Peralta (thumb) began a rehab assignment and played four innings for Class A Peoria, going 0 for 2.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (2-2, 4.46) beat the Yankees his last time out, allowing two runs in seven innings. He’s 1-1 with a 2.82 ERA in four road starts.
Cardinals: RHP Mike Leake (2-3, 4.66) has won his last two starts. He lost both of his starts against Arizona last year while with the Giants with a 9.35 ERA in 8 2-3 innings.
Photo Credit – Huy Mach – St. Louis Post-Dispatch