Video: Russell Martin hits go-ahead three-run homer to send Pirates to a win

By Bill BaerSep 19, 2014, 11:05 PM EDT
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It’s that time of the year, folks — when one pitch can help make or break your post-season fate. The Pirates seemed well on their way to a 2-0 loss at the hands of the NL Wild Card-rival Brewers until catcher Russell Martin crushed a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth against Jonathan Broxton. The Pirates tacked on one more run and went on to win 4-2.

With the win, the Pirates maintained their two-game deficit behind the St. Louis Cardinals and widened their lead over the Brewers for the second Wild Card to 4.5 games.

Watch Martin’s blast:

[mlbvideo id=”36407349″ width=”600″ height=”336″ /]

Martin, who is eligible for free agency after the season, leads the majors (min. 400 PA) with a .406 on-base percentage, and has 11 home runs overall with 66 RBI. The 31-year-old certainly seems destined for a payday in the off-season.

Blake Snell becomes client of Boras Corporation

Blake Snell
Bob Levey/Getty Images
By Bill BaerMay 26, 2020, 6:55 PM EDT
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Ken Rosenthal and Josh Tolentino of The Athletic report that Rays starter Blake Snell has switched agencies, going from Apex Baseball to Boras Corporation. Snell is currently signed to a five-year, $50 million contract and will be under contract through 2023.

Snell found himself in hot water two weeks ago when he said on his Twitch stream that he wouldn’t risk his life to play baseball during a pandemic while receiving significantly reduced pay. Some described Snell as tone deaf for saying, “I gotta get my money. I’m not playing unless I get mine, okay?”

Boras represents many of baseball’s highest-paid players, including Gerrit Cole and Bryce Harper. Snell is not likely to win over any of the people he recently irritated by appearing to go after more money by hiring the highest-profile agent. What often goes unsaid is that players have a very limited window in which to use their elite athletic skills to make money.

Snell won the 2018 AL Cy Young Award, going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and a 221/64 K/BB ratio over 180 2/3 innings. He did not have nearly the same success last year, going 6-8 with a 4.29 ERA and a 147/40 K/BB ratio in 107 innings.