TORONTO — While Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon hesitates to assign bullpen roles beyond the obvious — Fernando Rodney is the closer — the eighth inning, increasingly, belongs to Carson Smith.
It was Smith who got the call Friday and Saturday in the eighth inning to bridge leads to Rodney. Each time, he put up a zero in lowering his earned run average to 0.90.
“He’s done a tremendous job for us,” McClendon said, “but we’ve got to be careful. We’ve got to be sure we don’t overuse him, but he’s got a bright future. That sinker is special.
“He’s got a nice slider. More than anything, he’s got great makeup. I think he’s built for it.”
Smith, 25, has pitched the eighth inning or later in each of his last 12 appearances. He has five of his club-high eight “holds” in that span.
“I don’t know if it’s a regular thing or not,” he said. “I just try to be ready whenever the phone rings.”
That’s probably best since McClendon says there will be times when matchups prompt him to use other relievers in the eighth inning.
“I define roles for my relievers all of the time,” he said. “When you come in the game, get them out. Get outs for me.”
Smith has done that.
Entering Sunday, he had allowed just two runs and nine hits in 20 innings over his 21 outings. He also had 23 strikeouts and just five walks, one of which was an intentional pass.
Only two other American League relievers had pitched as many innings and allowed earned fewer runs: Dellin Betances of the Yankees (no earned runs in 23 innings); and Will Harris of the Astros (one in 22 2/3 innings).
Smith had 40 saves over three minor-league seasons but, with Rodney around, has yet to get one in the big leagues. He is among those who believe pitching the ninth inning is different.
“That’s from my minor-league experience,” Smith said. “But the eighth? I don’t see any difference from any other inning. I try to take the same approach.”
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