Buies Creek's Martin nets homer hat trick

Jason Martin came into Sunday's game with two home runs on the year. Through five innings, that total had jumped to five. 
Houston's No. 27 prospect went deep in each of his first three trips en route to Class A Advanced Buies Creek's 12-6 win over Myrtle Beach on Sunday. 

Martin set the tone for his game on his first swing. The 2013 eighth-round pick turned on a 1-0 fastball from Ryan Kellogg and sent it over the right-field fence. 
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"The first swing of the game and we're on the board, from there, he did everything right," Buies Creek hitting coach Troy Snitker said. 
The 21-year-old went back to right in the second inning when he victimized Kellogg (1-2) on another fastball for a three-run blast.
"It was almost the same exact spot as the first one," Snitker said. "This game was coming for him. He could easily have 12 to 15 home runs this season. I wouldn't be surprised if he leads Minor League Baseball in flyouts or lineouts to the track. He could hit him out to all parts of the park."
The Astros weren't done in the frame as Kyle Tucker, MLB.com's No. 30 overall prospect, added a solo shot two batters later. 
Martin hit his third long ball in as many at-bats off Kellogg in the fifth, pulling a 2-2 fastball to right. 

"That was the best one he hit all day," Snitker added. "He was in a quick two-strike count, but fought back and made sure they couldn't get an easy out to start the inning."
Tucker, who hit two homers against Myrtle Beach on Saturday, added his fourth blast in less than 24 hours -- a two-run homer to right-center in the sixth. The 21-year-old stands tied with Nationals prospect Taylor Gushue for the Carolina League lead with eight home runs this season. 
"Over the last week, he's got back into the strike zone," Snitker said "Over the last few weeks, he's kind of getting himself out, but in the last two games, he's done a lot of damage on the plate to pitches he's supposed to do damage with."

After striking out in the sixth, Martin just missed hitting a fourth homer in his fifth at-bat with a long flyout to center field. 
"He squared up five balls," Snitker said. "I don't think he was pressing for the fourth one. They made an adjustment in the fourth at-bat and he came back in his fifth trip with an understanding of how they were going to attack him. He was right back on the ball and hit it to deep center."
In 27 games for Buies Creek this season, Martin sports a .279/.350/.462 slash line with five homers and 17 RBIs. 

Pat Porter and Anibal Sierra also went yard for the Astros.
Daniel Spingola led the way for the Pelicans with three hits -- including two doubles -- and four RBIs.