CINCINNATI (AP) -Pedro Martinez completed his comeback from major shoulder surgery on Monday and quickly went into the record books, becoming the 15th pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters in his career.
The New York Mets' right-hander needed only two strikeouts to reach the mark. He fanned Scott Hatteberg on a foul-tipped fastball for 2,999 to open the second inning, then finished it off and reached the mark by getting right-hander Aaron Harang swinging at an 87-mph fastball.
Martinez was congratulated by catcher Paul Lo Duca as he headed for the dugout, and fans applauded when the feat was noted on the scoreboard.
The last pitcher to reach the 3,000-strikeout mark was Boston's Curt Schilling. He fanned Oakland's Nick Swisher in the first inning of a 7-2 loss to Oakland on Aug. 30 last year.
The 35-year-old Martinez, a three-time Cy Young winner, was at a career crossroads last season. He had surgery on his rotator cuff on Oct. 5, an operation that often takes more than a year for a full recovery.
Eleven months later, he made his return to the mound in a ballpark that is one of baseball's most unforgiving. Any mistake at Great American Ball Park can wind up in the seats.
Martinez knew that from previous experience. He was the opening day starter in 2005 at Great American - his first appearance since joining the Mets - and watched helplessly as New York's bullpen gave up ninth-inning homers by Adam Dunn and Joe Randa that cost him a win.
He smiled broadly when he walked into the clubhouse Monday exactly two hours before the scheduled first pitch. He greeted teammates and exchanged laughs, then headed for his locker in the corner of the clubhouse to trade his magenta shirt, white slacks and white loafers for a black-and-gray Mets uniform.
"Mornin' guys," he said, walking past a throng of reporters. "Good morning!"
A baseball sat on the ledge of his locker, propped next to his glove. It's a baseball tradition that the next day's starter gets a ball in his locker.
He had a ball - and a blast.
Until the game started, that is.
A block of Mets fans down the first base line cheered when Martinez walked onto the field to pitch the bottom of the first, making his usual hop over the foul line for good luck. One fan in a white Mets jersey held up a sign saying: "He's back."
DOLFAN 222 
