Search

» » BIG DAY IN THE BIG LEAGUES: Anderson has triumphant return; Smith hits first career home run - The Saratogian

BIG DAY IN THE BIG LEAGUES: Anderson has triumphant return; Smith hits first career home run - The Saratogian

rintongs.blogspot.com

Sunday was a big day for two local big leaguers.

  • AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

    Toronto Blue Jays' Kevin Smith stands in the dugout wearing the team's home run jacket after his solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Detroit.

  • AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

    Toronto Blue Jays' Kevin Smith rounds the bases after his solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Detroit.

  • AP Photo/Ben Margot

    Atlanta Braves pitcher Ian Anderson works against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Atlanta.

Ian Anderson, a Shenendehowa graduate, made his return from the injured list, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings for the Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Kevin Smith, a Columbia graduate, hit the first home run of his MLB career for the Blue Jays, who were taking on the Tigers in Detroit.

After struggling in his starts just prior to the All-Star break, Anderson was placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Prior to his start on Sunday, he had not pitched since July 11.

“There was some time of no throwing and that’s obviously tough, but once you get back going you know what the end goal is, so you just gotta take it day by day and keep pushing through and I knew that eventually I would be back,” Anderson said.

On Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, he went 5.2 innings and did not allow a run. He allowed four hits and two walks, picking up his sixth win of the season.

Anderson would throw 86 pitches on the day, 49 for strikes. Before his return, he made four minor league rehab starts with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he built up to 90 pitches.

“By the time I made that first rehab start, I was feeling pretty good,” Anderson said. “You just stay with the process and you feel you could be ready sooner, but you’ve got to build up pitches to get to where I needed to be to pitch today. Give Snit and the team 90-plus pitches.”

To make room on the roster, Atlanta sent down reliever Edgar Santana to Gwinnett. Rosters will open up from 26 players to 28 on September 1.

Anderson is now 6-5 with a 3.36 ERA and 98 strikeouts this season. He is next in line to start on September 3 in Colorado. The Braves, 70-59, lead the NL East by 4.5 games over the Phillies.

“It’s fun to come back to the team when we’re playing like this,” Anderson said. “I’m just excited to get back in the swing of things. We have a big stretch coming up and I’m just hoping to contribute any way that I can.”

Kevin Smith, who made his big league debut for Toronto on August 18, hit is first career home run on Sunday as well.

Smith’s homer came in the top of the fourth inning with Toronto leading 1-0 and it turned out to be the difference in the game, as the Blue Jays picked up the 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

The long ball into the bullpen in left-center at Comerica Park also provided Smith with his first career RBI, his first run scored and his first extra-base hit. In the game, Smith went 1-for-2 with a walk.

Smith nearly hit his first home run on Friday August 27, but Tigers centerfielder Derek Hill had other ideas, who robbed a home run from him in the series opener.

His homer on Sunday went all the way to the back of the bullpen, completely out of the reach of any Tigers outfielders.

“I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to do it again — he got one from me in Toronto and here the other night,” Smith said. “Luckily, this one had a few extra feet.”

The Jays are currently 68-61 and in fourth place in the AL East. They will make their final trip to New York for a four-game series from September 6 to September 9.

Smith collected his first career hit on August 20 on a single, also against the Tigers.

A side note, Zack Short – from Kingston, NY (Section 9) – played in the Detroit/ Toronto game for the Tigers. He made his debut on April 21 this season and has been up and down from the minors. The shortstop is hitting .142 with six home runs.

Adblock test (Why?)



"day" - Google News
August 30, 2021 at 06:14AM
https://ift.tt/3zseAG0

BIG DAY IN THE BIG LEAGUES: Anderson has triumphant return; Smith hits first career home run - The Saratogian
"day" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3f7h3fo
https://ift.tt/2VYSiKW

Bagikan Berita Ini

0 Response to "BIG DAY IN THE BIG LEAGUES: Anderson has triumphant return; Smith hits first career home run - The Saratogian"

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Powered by Blogger.