Friday was a strong start to the homestand for the Diamondbacks, who beat the Texas Rangers in the first game and got a notable bullpen highlight from Justin Martinez.
Martinez threw the Diamondbacks' fifth immaculate inning, a rare feat that added another line to a growing Arizona bullpen story. It also fits with his move back into the closer role for the Diamondbacks, giving the club a late-inning option it can lean on as the homestand continues.
Why it matters
An immaculate inning in baseball is uncommon enough on its own, and doing it as part of a larger team moment gives it extra meaning. For the Diamondbacks, it marked their fifth such inning as a franchise. For Martinez, it was another sign that his role is trending upward again.
The Diamondbacks are using the homestand to set a tone, and a performance like this helps do exactly that. With Martinez moving back into the closer role, Friday's inning offered both a milestone and a reminder that Arizona may have a key arm settling into a bigger job.
