St. Louis Cardinals: Carlos Martinez smashes first career home run (Video)

St. Louis Cardinals ace Carlos Martinez smashes his first career home run against the Chicago White Sox, who finally joins in on the home run train in Arch City.

The St. Louis Cardinals have found a real ace, in Carlos Martinez, who has put it all together this season, after a rough first start against the New York Mets. Since that early hiccup, he’s been virtually unhittable ever since, making himself an early contender for the NL Cy Young Award.

Coming into his start today, Carlos Martinez boasted a 2-1 record with a microscopic ERA of 1.43 and an incredible WHIP of 1.06. Today, he’s found a way to top that, with seven scoreless innings, allowing just one four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts — while demonstrating his lights out stuff throughout the game. He’s been flat out filthy on the mound.

On the flipside, Chicago White Sox hurler, Lucas Giolito has had a rough go of things, with an ERA over 6.00 — mirroring the disappointing start for the Southsiders to begin the 2018 campaign.

Through 6 2/3 innings,  Lucas Giolito matched Carlos Martinez frame by frame, until Carlos Martinez came to the dish. In 225 plate appearances, his career batting average of .167 and no home runs wasn’t much to speak of at the dish — until this happened.

For the first time in his MLB career, Carlos Martinez embraced his inner Bob Gibson — both on the mound and inside the batter’s box. What a moment for him, who is the one who generally initiates the celebrations when others hit long bombs.

Carlos Martinez savored the moment, taking 29 long seconds to round the bases — which he’s earned the right to do!

The St. Louis Cardinals have a fun ritual that when a player hits a home run, they embrace in this fun celebration known as the “congo line,” — which you’ll see at the end of this video.

Now, Carlos Martinez finally got to join in on the action, after breaking a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 6th inning.

St. Louis Cardinals great and legendary broadcaster’s call on the homer says it all!

Next: Carlos Martinez's glove represents heroism

Don’t expect this to become the norm every fifth day for the St. Louis Cardinals when Carlos Martinez takes the mound. But, what a moment and experience for Carlos Martinez.