Martin says it averages out

Russell Martin took a step toward ending his early season batting slump by driving in four runs against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.

The Dodgers catcher had been hitting .226 going into the game, and had gone six consecutive games without an extra-base hit.

But he had two-run singles in two of his first three at-bats against Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez, helping the Dodgers take a 6-3 lead and lifting his average to .250.

Martin acknowledged before the game he hasn’t “been feeling that great [at the plate], numbers don’t really lie.” But he said, “I know I can hit. I could have a couple of good games and be back at .300.”

He hit .280 last season with 69 runs batted in, and led the team with a .385 on-base percentage.

“He didn’t start out well last year, either, and I think right now he’s probably a little bit too intense,” Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said before the game. “His approach is good, he’s not trying to pull the ball. I think sometimes he swings a little bit too hard. But he’ll fall into it, I’m not worried about him.”

Martin said he’s been “trying to shorten up my stride, that’s the key thing for me” to hit better. Despite his low average, “I’ve been battling,” he said.

He won a couple of battles Saturday night.

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In a pinch

Pinch-hitting by veteran infielder Mark Loretta is one reason why the Dodgers’ bench is pulling its weight so far this year.

The Santa Monica native was four for six as a pinch-hitter going into Saturday’s game, and overall was batting .500 (six for 12) in 10 games.

Loretta, also noting the game-winning hit by backup catcher Brad Ausmus on Friday, said, “It’s great when some guys can step up and help out that aren’t the frontline guys.”

But pinch-hitting “can be streaky just like any part of the game,” he said.

“You hit some balls that find holes and things like that, so I think you’ve got to stay with the same approach going up there . . . and not dwell on the results,” said Loretta, 37.

And what makes a good pinch-hitter?

“First and foremost, making contact,” he said. “With runners in scoring position, you might want to be more aggressive, you’re looking for something early in the [strike] zone that you can drive. But leading off an inning you might take a few more pitches. The situation will dictate that.”

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Short hops

Relief pitcher Cory Wade, on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder, is expected to pitch for the Dodgers’ Class-A minor league team in San Bernardino on Tuesday and rejoin the Dodgers for their next homestand starting April 30, Torre said. . . . Blake DeWitt probably will play third base today, giving Casey Blake a rest, Torre said.

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james.peltz@latimes.com