Ariel Martínez hit his third home run of the campaign this Sunday and a double in four at-bats, while also driving in a run to contribute to Nippon Ham Fighters’ 5-0 shutout of the Lotte Marinos at Es Con Field in Hokkaido.
The first baseman from Matanzas, Cuba raised his average to .172 and his total RBIs to nine. Although Martínez’s power numbers are adept he has started a little slow with the lumber. The slugger was an All-Star with the Fighters in 2023.
In Korea Guillermo Heredia swatted three hits, one of them being a two-run shot in the first inning in SSG’s 5-5 tie with LG. The outfielder saw his jump to .380 and has now knocked in 20 runs on the season. The re-signing of Heredia has been key in the Landers offense on the young campaign.
Así fue el jonrón solitario de hoy (21/04/2024) de 🇨🇺Ariel Martínez en la #npb. Su 3ro de la campaña. https://t.co/KxCT99KCxd
— Béisbol Japonés.com (@beisboljapones) April 21, 2024
Cuban action on the day:
NPB:
Ariel Martínez (NH) 4-2,HR,2B,RBI,R
Dayan Viciedo (CD) 2-1,BB**
KBO:
Guillermo Heredia (SSG) 5-3,HR,2RBI, R
CPBL:
No Cuban action on the day