Blue Jays' Russell Martin: Gets over Mendoza Line in Friday victory

Martin went 1-for-1 with a game-tying RBI single and two walks in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Orioles.

Analysis:

The veteran backstop finally clawed his way over the Mendoza Line and his one hit served to forge a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning when it plated Justin Smoak. Martin is still hitting 53 points below his career .255 average, but has now raised his average 59 points since May 1. He's also hit safely in five of his last six contests and is showing a much better eye at the plate in June. Martin has already drawn six walks over his first nine games of the month, equaling the amount of free passes he generated in all of May.