Pedro's father loses battle with cancer

Posted: Wed Jul 23 11:39 PM

Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Pedro Martinez's father, Pablo, died during the New York Mets 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night.

After hearing the news, Martinez immediately left Shea Stadium in the seventh inning.

Pablo Martinez, 87, had been battling brain cancer and the younger Martinez recently spent the All-Star break with his ailing father in the Dominican Republic.

"I didn't have a chance to embrace him or anything like that," manager Jerry Manuel told the team's Web site. "Sad day for him, for sure. We all at some point have felt the sting of death. Our prayers are certainly with him."

The Mets announced that Martinez will miss his next scheduled start which was set for Friday.