Spencer Horwitz Stays Perfect Against Rays’ Nick Martinez, Continues Hot Streak for Pirates
Photo provided by Matt Lynch PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz knows how good he’s done against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez in his career. Entering play on Friday night, Horwitz was a perfect 7 for 7 off Martinez with two doubles, a home run, four RBI and a pair of walks. While he knows he sees Martinez well, the reason is not as obvious to Horwitz.
“That’s a tough question,” Horwitz said when asked why the matchup is such a favorable one. “I’d say just something about his delivery. I guess I just pick it up really well.
” Whatever the exact reason is, Horwitz continued his dominance over Martinez in the Pirates’ 5-1 win over the Rays at PNC Park. Horwitz went 3 for 3 with a double against the Rays starter — now a perfect 10 for 10 against him — and drove in Pittsburgh’s first run of the game. Knowing how past meetings with Martinez have gone, Horwitz felt good going into the game.
“It’s definitely an extra boost of confidence,” Horwitz explained. “Whenever you can see a guy more than once, it makes the at-bat way easier. Now that I’m getting a little order, this is my second time, and this is my third season, I’m just seeing those guys and have that familiarity of what they want to do.
” In his fourth trip to the plate, Horwitz drew a walk against Yoendrys Gómez and scored a run and scored on Brandon Lowe’s double off the wall in right-center field. It was the latest quality performance for Horwitz, who has heated up after a sluggish start to the season. “It’s kind of just settling in.