WILL SMITH NEWS

Pinch-hitter pitcher Gausman sac fly in 11th, SF tops Braves

Pinch-hitting pitcher Kevin Gausman lofted a full-count, bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the San Francisco Giants edged the Atlanta Braves 6-5 to increase their N...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Escapes with 32nd save Smith allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday, earning a save over the Marlins.

Impact Smith allowed leadoff triple to Jesus Sanchez and found himself in a first-and-third jam with just one out. He wiggled out of the threat and has now converted 32-of-37 save chances this season, including nine of his last 10. The veteran closer lowered his ERA to 3.66 through 59 frames.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Albies, Freeman go deep in 7th, Braves win series over Miami

Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman each hit a solo homer off Anthony Bass in the seventh inning, Eddie Rosario went deep off Edward Cabrera in the fourth, and the Atlanta Braves beat...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Soler, Anderson power Braves past Marlins 6-2

Jorge Soler had a two-run single during a five-run fifth inning, Ian Anderson tied a career high with nine strikeouts and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 6-2

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nationals pitcher Nolin, manager Martinez suspended for HBP

Major League Baseball has suspended Washington Nationals starting pitcher Sean Nolin five games for intentionally hitting Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Charged with fifth blown save Smith allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning to blow the save against the Nationals on Thursday.

Impact Lane Thomas tripled right away against Smith to open the inning, and the Nationals cashed in after a throwing error by Ozzie Albies as Albies tried to turn two. Smith has given up four runs in his last eight appearances, but his last blown save prior to Thursday was Aug. 11, and he's 31-for-36 in save situations with a 3.79 ERA this season.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Q&A: Ali gets the Ken Burns treatment in 4-part PBS film

The number of movies, documentaries and other entertainment vehicles made about Muhammad Ali would make it seem that there’s not much left to offer

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Soto's go-ahead homer sends Nationals past Braves, 4-2

Juan Soto crushed a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning and the Washington Nationals relied on their bullpen after Sean Nolin’s first-inning ejection to take a 4-2 win over the At...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Converts 31st save Smith hit a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 8-5 win over Washington.

Impact The 32-year-old plunked Juan Soto with one out, but he erased his mistake by getting Josh Bell to ground into a game-ending double play. Smith has bent but not broken over his last 10 outings, allowing three runs on six hits, six walks and two hit batters while going 8-for-8 in save chances in that span. His 31 saves this year ranks third in the majors behind only the Padres' Mark Melancon (36) and the White Sox's Liam Hendriks (32). Smith has a 3.70 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 69:21 K:BB through 56 innings overall.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Albies, Duvall go deep in Braves' 8-5 win over Nationals

Ozzie Albies hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Ryne Harper in the seventh inning, Adam Duvall took Paolo Espino deep with an early three-run shot, and the Atlanta Braves beat th...

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Giants beat Dodgers 3-2 in 11th on error, take NL West lead

Second baseman Trea Turner threw wildly on Buster Posey’s bases-loaded, two-out grounder in the 11th inning and a video review upheld the safe call as the San Francisco Giants beat...

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nabs seventh straight save Smith picked up the save Thursday against the Rockies after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Impact Smith has closed the door in each of his last seven appearances and seems to have bounced back after going 1-for-3 in save opportunities over a five-day stretch last month (Aug. 7 to Aug. 11). While Smith has given up runs in three of his last six appearances, he remains a reliable arm for Atlanta and his role as the closer isn't in any sort of danger. He has gone 30-for-34 in save chances on the season while posting a 3.76 ERA across 55 innings (58 appearances).

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Duvall's 2-run homer lifts Braves over Rockies 6-5

Adam Duvall hit a two-run homer in Atlanta’s three-run fifth inning, and the Braves overcame a grand slam by Charlie Blackmon to beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Urías MLB-high 15th W; Dodgers end Braves' 13-game road run

Julio Urías earned his major league-best 15th victory, and the Los Angeles Dodgers slugged four homers in a 5-3 victory over the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cron, Rockies outhomer Dodgers in 4-2 victory

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AUGUST 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yields run but grabs save Smith allowed a solo home run and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over San Francisco.

Impact Luckily for Smith, he was called on to protect a two-run lead, as he allowed a solo shot to Wilmer Flores before retiring the next three batters in order. Atlanta's closer is up to 29 saves on the year, and he's converted eight of 10 chances in 13 appearances in August despite yielding eight runs in 12.1 innings. The left-hander has a 3.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB through 54 innings overall.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Soler's homer, Pederson's catch lift Braves over Giants 6-5

Jorge Soler hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning, Joc Pederson made a leaping catch at the wall for the final out and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat San Franci...

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns save Sunday Smith allowed a hit and no walks while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's win over the Orioles.

Impact Smith had allowed a run in each of his last two outings, but he held the Orioles scoreless to preserve the two-run lead Sunday. The southpaw has converted saves in five of his last six appearances, and he's posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 5.1 innings during that time.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Braves top Orioles 3-1 for Baltimore's 18th straight loss

Jorge Soler homered, Touki Toussaint pitched effectively into the sixth inning, and the surging Atlanta Braves beat Baltimore 3-1, extending the Orioles’ losing streak to 18 games

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Collects 27th save Smith earned the save against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter in one inning.

Impact Smith started his outing by serving up a solo home run to Anthony Santander, but the veteran closer bounced back to retire the final three batters he faced. The long ball was the fourth allowed by Smith in his past 7.1 frames, and he has two blown saves along with an 8.59 ERA over that span. Nonetheless, Smith is tied for third in MLB with 27 saves and is relatively secure in his position as Atlanta's closer.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

First-place Braves win 8th in row, beat skidding Orioles 4-3

Austin Riley put Atlanta ahead for good with a fifth-inning homer, and the Braves stretched their winning streak to eight games by beating Baltimore 5-4, the Orioles’ 17th consecut...

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Freeman hits for 2nd career cycle, Braves sweep Marlins

Freddie Freeman hit for the cycle for the second time and the surging Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 11-9

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tallies 26th save Smith struck out two and did not allow a baserunner across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Tuesday against the Marlins.

Impact Smith successfully held a two-run lead, needing only 11 pitches to earn his 26th save of the season. Despite Smith blowing two saves in a three-game stretch from Aug. 7 to Aug. 11, Atlanta has shown no inclination to remove him from the closer role. He's rewarded the club's faith in him and has now turned in three consecutive scoreless outings. For the season, Smith now has a 3.62 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 49.2 innings.

AUGUST 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Soler, Riley send surging Braves past Marlins 2-0

Jorge Soler’s two-out RBI single in the eighth inning snapped a scoreless tie and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 2-0

AUGUST 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dodgers beat Pirates 2-1 on HRs by McKinney and Muncy

Max Muncy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 for their fourth straight victory

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS