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Martinez homers twice to lift Indians over Padres

Feb 28, 2009 - 12:49 AM GOODYEAR, Arizona (Ticker) -- Victor Martinez did twice on Friday what it took him five months and 189 at-bats to accomplish last season, belting two homers, including a two-run shot in the first inning, to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres in Cactus League action.

A two-time All-Star, Martinez nearly had a season-long power drought in 2008 while suffering through hamstring and elbow injuries, but he has gotten off to a strong start early this spring. After the Padres plated two runs in the top of the fourth to cut their deficit to one, Martinez answered in the bottom half with a solo blast to right field and Ben Francisco followed two batters later with a solo homer to give the Indians some breathing room.

But perhaps the best news for Cleveland was the performance by starter Fausto Carmona, who threw two scoreless innings to pick up the victory. The 25-year-old righthander broke out with a 19-win season in 2007, but stumbled badly last year, finishing with a 5.44 ERA.

Kevin Kouzmanoff homered for the Padres and Edgar Gonzalez had three hits.