Note: The Return of Joe Smith
Last night, Joe Smith entered during the seventh inning, in relief of John Maine with two on and two out.
Smith got the final out of the inning, then pitched a scoreless eighth inning as well.
He has allowed one run in seven appearances this season.
Willie Randolph, on Smith:
“Joe did a great job…He’s really whipping the ball in and going after people. I’m really happy with the way he threw. It was very similar (to last season)…When you’re sidearmer, the feel and rhythm of your delivery is so different. It’s unorthodox…He looks similar to last year, but different. He’s whipping the ball better, and that’s key for him. He’s able to pop the ball in there, use his slider. He’s throwing well.”
Smith told reporters after the game that he has made subtle changes to his delivery, trying to keep his release point as low to the ground as possible.
…look, we all know joe can pitch…he is talented, effective, etc., that’s not the issue…
…the issue is, did he learn from last year, will he be able to pitch a full season, can he maintain through the summer, and so on…he told reporters, “Last year was a good year for me, I learned a lot from it.”…hopefully, that is what he means…
For more on Smith, read the New York Post and Newsday.
