Martinez Nostalgic for a 20-Win Season

If anyone is going to end the Atlanta Braves’ four-year hold on the National League Cy Young award, it could be Ramon Martinez.

Martinez has a 32-13 record the last two seasons.

“I’d like to get back and win 20 games again,” said Martinez, who was 20-6 in 1990. “That’s really something I’d like to do . . . and have a chance for the Cy Young. To win the Cy Young and World Series before retiring would be very, very special.”

Martinez, who went 8-11, 10-12 and 12-7 from 1992 to 1994, credits maturity for his turnaround. He also junked his curveball and has begun throwing a slider to go with his change-up.

“I’m a better pitcher now than I’ve ever been,” said Martinez, who is having his best spring training. He yielded only one run and struck out seven in four innings Tuesday in the Dodgers’ 5-4, 10-inning exhibition victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Fort Lauderdale. He has a 3.38 earned-run average and has struck out 17 in 16 innings.

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The Dodgers say it’s imperative to get off to a quick start this season.

They begin with a nine-game home stand against the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets, teams that combined for a 211-275 record last season.

“I think you’ll see a different team this year,” Eric Karros said. “I think the experience of going through that the last two years has caused us to be more intense this year, a more business-like approach. It’s not so much reflection of a [managerial] change, but what we have not accomplished the last two years.”