SAN FRANCISCO --
The Giants took a one-run into the eighth after Gennett crushed a tiebreaking home run off Philadelphia reliever Ranger Suarez in the sixth, but the Phillies staged an uprising against lefty Tony Watson after J.T. Realmuto singled and advanced to third on a double by Scott Kingery. Manager Bruce Bochy decided to summon Smith for a five-out save, but the All-Star reliever gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly to Corey Dickerson. \n
Still, the Giants came back to rally in the bottom half of the inning. Evan Longoria led off with a single and scored on
“I think they knew I wasn’t going to take out my closer,” Bochy said. “That was a no-brainer.” \n\nSmith hadn’t hit in a game since his days at Gulf Coast Community College, but he ventured into the batting cage prior to Sunday’s game and took three swings off the tee for fun. The mild preparation ended up paying off, as he proceeded to line a 3-1 fastball to the opposite field, driving in two runs and sending the fans at Oracle Park into a frenzy. \n\nSmith couldn’t contain his grin as he ambled down the first-base line, narrowly beating out a throw from right fielder Bryce Harper for his milestone hit. \n\n“If that throw is on line, I’m definitely out, for sure,” Smith said. “I would have made Bochy challenge it, probably. It worked out.” \n
“It’s almost more exciting than a grand slam,” Gennett said. “A single to right. I’m just glad he was able to get to first base on time.”\n\nSmith also ran the bases for the first time, advancing from first to third on Joey Rickard’s subsequent double. After Mike Yastrzemski flied out to end the inning, Smith jogged back to the dugout to pick up his glove before returning to the mound to pitch the ninth. \n\nRoman Quinn opened the inning with a bunt attempt, but Smith made an impressive barehanded play and threw to first baseman Brandon Belt in time for the out. Smith then worked around a two-out walk to Rhys Hoskins to secure a win for the Giants (59-60), who rebounded from a three-game sweep at the hands of the Nationals to take three out of four from the Phillies, one of the teams they’re chasing in the National League Wild Card race. \n
Smith was one of three Giants relievers to log his first career plate appearance Sunday, joining