Pedro Martinez pitches 6 innings in Triple-A rehab start, inching closer to joining Phillies

Pedro Martinez works 6 innings in rehab start

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Pedro Martinez allowed five runs — four earned — and three hits in six innings of a rehab start Friday night for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies’ top minor league affiliate.

Using a fastball that reached 93 mph on the stadium radar gun and an effective changeup, Martinez breezed through four innings against the Columbus Clippers, allowing only one run. He then gave up four more in a 35-pitch fifth.

Martinez threw 84 pitches total, striking out four and walking three, in what could be his final rehab start before joining the defending World Series champion Phillies. Clippers center fielder Michael Brantley smacked Martinez’s second pitch over the right-field wall.

The 37-year-old right-hander maintained velocity on his pitches throughout his outing, and recorded many outs on changeups. Martinez struck out Jordan Brown to end the fifth.

Martinez signed a one-year deal with the Phillies on July 15 and was immediately placed on the disabled list due to a right shoulder strain. His first rehab appearance, for Class A Clearwater on July 26, lasted only 1 1-3 innings because of rain.

Martinez has a career mark of 214-99 with a 2.91 ERA. He went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts last season for the New York Mets.

In March, Martinez pitched for the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic, working six innings of scoreless relief in two games.