Will Smith has been in a slump at the plate recently, which prompted the Los Angeles Dodgers to give him days off more often as of late. However, after his performance against the Milwaukee Brewers, it’s pretty safe to say he’s passed that rough stretch.
Smith blasted three home runs against the Brewers during Friday’s 8-5 win. He also drew two walks, one of which allowed the Dodgers to rally in the eighth inning to pick up the win.
Smith hit his first homer of the night in the first inning against Aaron Civale. His next came in the third inning, getting to Civale again.
At that point, it was the third time Smith has had a multi-homer game, and the second time this season.
His final one came in the seventh inning with the Dodgers trailing by one run, and it tied the game after hitting off the foul pole. It was the first time at any level of baseball that Smith has had a three-homer game.
“I mean, what a night,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Going to right-center field, then to go to left field, and then hit one off the foul pole, really impressive. He’s just so consistent, and he just doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves as being one of the top-two catchers in the in the game. But today, he came up big.”
Two of his homers also came on the first pitch, but Smith didn’t put much stock into that. “I was just getting the ball up and put a good swing on it,” he said.
Smith became the fourth catcher in Dodgers history to hit three homers in a single game. He joined Roy Campanella (Aug. 26, 1950), Mike Piazza (June 29, 1996) and Yasmani Grandal (July 8, 2016) in the record books.
“Those are obviously really good catchers,” Smith said. “Some of the best ever to do it. To be mentioned with them is pretty neat.”
Perhaps his most impressive at-bat was the one in the eight inning where he worked a walk. It could have been tempting to swing away and try to join MLB history, but Smith kept his composure, leading to the rally.
“It’s tough, but the thing is with Will, that’s part of the head,” Roberts said. “He just doesn’t get out of himself and just stays under control.”
Smith added he didn’t feel any extra pressure in that moment. “No, I don’t think it makes that situation any easier,” he said.
“You’re more confident maybe, with a few hits in the game. You’re just trying to get it to the next guy. Drive them in or get it to the next guy. That’s all I was trying to do.”
Evan Phillips praises Will Smith
Evan Phillips was warming up in the bullpen during Smith’s final at-bat, and he had some hope a fourth home run from Smith would land in his glove. While that didn’t happen, he was still glad the team got the job done.
“He’s one of our core pieces,” Phillips said. “I can’t say he’s the core right, because we have plenty of talent on this team. But when he’s playing like he did tonight, it’s hard for us to lose.
“So kudos to him for a great game, career night, and I’m really glad we were able to pull the victory in a game like that.”
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