V-Mart: Mr. Everything to the Red Sox

Victor Martinez was on strict orders from Red Sox skipper Terry Francona in the 24 hours leading up to his big moment in the seventh inning Wednesday night.

On Tuesday night, during a 10-0 laugher over the Baltimore Orioles, Francona told Martinez he would be getting a chance to watch the game from the bench as a reserve. And Martinez, a catcher who loves to play everyday, didn’t take to that very well.

“I told him I wasn’t going to answer my phone. I told him (Tuesday) night in about the eighth inning. I said, ‘Don’t even try.’ He fought a little bit. He fought a little bit, which I actually really like,” said Francona. “But I thought it was in his best interest not to play (Wednesday), and I think it’ll end up really helping him. He’s caught a lot of games.”

In fact, Martinez has already caught 19 games since his trade to Boston at the deadline on July 31. But of course, the flip side of not playing Martinez is expanding the quality depth on a bench that is already deep because of September call-ups.

“Victor’s sitting there (on the bench),” Francona said. “With this expanded roster, having Victor sitting there made our life a lot better. He can hit from both sides of the plate.”

And with Baltimore manager Dave Trembley managing the game like Game 7 of the World Series, beginning with situational relievers in the sixth inning, Francona knew there would be a great time for Martinez to come off the bench. That time was with the bases loaded and the game tied, 4-4, in the seventh and Danys Baez on the mound.

“(Martinez) is just a good hitter,” Francona said. “I think he enjoys that situation, for sure. I think he’d rather have been starting but it’s nice on nights that he hasn’t started, that he’s sitting there ready to hit.”

Martinez didn’t waste anytime. Despite coming into the game cold, Martinez drilled the first pitch to left-center for a bases-loaded double that put the Red Sox ahead to stay in a game they needed to stay two games ahead of Texas in the A.L. wild card chase.

“Obviously, I came in with the bases loaded, one out and the game tied,” Martinez said. “Mikey Lowell walked on four straight pitches and I told myself that he was going to try and throw a strike right here, just look for a good pitch to hit and don’t try to do too much. Just put a good swing on the ball and that’s what I did. When you put a good swing on the ball, anything can happen.”

A lot of great things have been happening for Martinez since his deal to Boston, especially in the clutch. He extended his hitting streak to 12 games, during which he has four homers and 10 RBIs. He also improved his pinch-hitting numbers for his career. He is now 11-for-27 (.407) and 6-for-12 this season with 15 RBIs with the bases loaded.

“You know what, I don’t know, I don’t really know,” said Martinez. “I don’t have the answers for that one. Every time I go to the plate, it’s just to put in good at-bats and be a tough out. That’s it.”

Maybe Martinez has found new life because of the race for a playoff spot or simply being in Boston, where energy abounds at Fenway.

“It feels pretty good, especially when you’re playing in a (pennant) race and you’re playing in front of these great fans, they really make you play and make you go out there and give your best,” Martinez said. ”I’m just going to the plate and being a tough out. I can’t really control anything else.”