WILL SMITH NEWS

Taylor clears bases in 8-run fifth, Dodgers beat Braves 9-5

Chris Taylor hit a bases-loaded double in the eight-run fifth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 9-5 in a rematch of last year’s NL Championship Series

JUNE 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Swanson stays hot with 2-run HR as Braves top Nationals 5-0

Dansby Swanson continued his power surge by hitting a two-run homer in Atlanta’s four-run sixth inning and the Braves beat Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals 5-1

JUNE 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posts ninth save Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over Washington.

Impact After a so-so start from Charlie Morton, Atlanta's bullpen allowed just one hit over the last four innings of the game. Smith was able to close it out, and he remains a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities. He's had some shaky moments this year with a 1-4 record, 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 22 appearances.

JUNE 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Acuña hits 16th HR, ties for MLB lead as Braves beat Nats

Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 16th home run and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 5-3

JUNE 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Peterson scheduled to start as New York hosts Atlanta

The Braves will start Max Fried on Saturday while the Mets are expected to counter with David Peterson

MAY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tauchman robs Pujols of winning HR, Giants top Dodgers in 10

Giants left fielder Mike Tauchman remarkably reached over the wall to rob Albert Pujols of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and San Francisco broke through in...

MAY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Walker scheduled to start as New York hosts Atlanta

The Braves will start Ian Anderson on Friday while the Mets are expected to counter with Taijuan Walker

MAY 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches another save Smith picked up the save Tuesday against the Red Sox after tossing a scoreless inning, fanning two.

Impact Smith is now 8-for-8 in save opportunities, though this was the first one he picked up since May 6. The 31-year-old might have a 5.00 ERA across 10 appearances this month, but he also owns an 11.0 K/9 in that span.

MAY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sandoval has 3 hits in return to Boston, Braves win 3-1

Pablo Sandoval had three hits in his first game at Fenway Park since his disastrous tenure with the Red Sox to lead Atlanta to a 3-1 win over Boston

MAY 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up win Smith (1-4) pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out two to earn the win Wednesday versus the Mets.

Impact Smith kept the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, and Ronald Acuna hit a walkoff home run in the bottom half of the frame. The 31-year-old Smith has now gone six outings without a save, although that's more from a lack of close games in Atlanta's favor recently. The closer has a 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 24:8 K:BB and seven saves in 18 innings this year.

MAY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Tuesday Smith (0-4) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Mets after giving up one run on two hits while fanning two across one inning.

Impact Smith pitched the ninth inning in a 3-3 game, but he allowed the game-winning run on a homer from Tomas Nido. Smith has gone 7-for-7 in save opportunities this season, but he hasn't pitched in such a situation since May 6 -- he owns an 0-2 record with an 11.25 ERA since then, giving up five runs on nine hits while posting a 5:1 K:BB across four innings since then.

MAY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Braves look to break 3-game losing streak against Mets

Atlanta will try to break its three-game losing streak when the Braves take on New York

MAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pillar back on bench, banged-up Mets edge Braves on Nido HR

Inspired by Kevin Pillar's return to the dugout, the New York Mets got homers from Jonathan Villar and Tomás Nido and strong performances by a string of relievers to beat the Atlan...

MAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anderson hitless for 6, Freeman 250th HR, Braves top Brewers

Ian Anderson took a no-hit try into the seventh inning, Freddie Freeman hit the 250th home run of his career and the Atlanta Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1

MAY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hit hard in loss Smith (0-3) allowed four runs on five hits and no walks in a third of an inning to take the loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Impact Smith had been dominant in his last six appearances, as he converted on all four of his save chances and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five in six scoreless innings. However, he entered Thursday's contest in the ninth inning with the game tied at four runs and gave up three singles and two doubles to put him in line for the loss. While Smith's rough outing was discouraging, he still has good job security as Atlanta's closer if he can return to form in the near future.

MAY 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bo Bichette leads resilient Blue Jays past Braves again, 8-4

Bo Bichette hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied yet again to beat Atlanta 8-4 and sweep six games from the Braves this season

MAY 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Greene rejoins Braves to fortify bullpen

Relief pitcher Shane Greene has signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to rejoin the Atlanta Braves

MAY 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Records another save Smith notched his seventh save of the season Thursday against the Nationals after pitching a scoreless inning. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

Impact Smith allowed a double to Ryan Zimmerman to begin the ninth inning, but he settled down quickly and retired Trea Turner, Yadiel Hernandez and Josh Harrison to close things out. Smith has now gone 7-for-7 in save opportunities this season and has not allowed a run in any of his last five appearances.

MAY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies play Atlanta, aim to build on Wheeler's strong performance

Philadelphia looks to follow up a strong showing by Thursday starter Zack Wheeler

MAY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Freeman sits; Smyly, Braves get 1st sweep of Nats since 2014

Ehire Adrianza made the most of a rare start on a day off for slumping NL MVP Freddie Freeman, providing a nice defensive play and a two-run single to back Drew Smyly’s strong outi...

MAY 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches sixth save Smith worked a perfect ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Nationals.

Impact The lefty needed only 12 pitches (eight strikes) to breeze through a trio of Nats that included Juan Soto and Trea Turner. Smith has yet to blow a save this season, and he sports a 3.00 ERA and 16:7 K:BB through 12 innings.

MAY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Collects fifth save Smith walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his fifth save of the season in an 8-7 win over the Cubs.

Impact The veteran southpaw continues to battle his control and has now walked seven batters in 10 innings, but he's only given up five hits and has fanned 15, helping to limit the damage. Smith is a perfect 5-for-5 on save chances to begin the season with a 3.60 ERA.

APRIL 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Power of Sage: Freeman 3-run homer, Braves beat Cubs 8-7

Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves woke up offensively after a grim doubleheader, overcoming a grand slam by Kris Bryant to beat the Chicago Cubs 8-7

APRIL 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches fourth save Smith struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his fourth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact The veteran lefty hasn't exactly been untouchable to begin the season, getting charged with runs in four of his 10 appearances so far, but Smith has yet to blow a save and his 14:6 K:BB through nine innings is more encouraging than his 4.00 ERA. As long as he continues to get the job done though, the 31-year-old isn't likely to be challenged for his closing role.

APRIL 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Anderson, Braves slip by slumping Yanks with 4 hits, win 4-1

Ian Anderson took a shutout into the seventh inning, Austin Riley homered and the Atlanta Braves scraped by with just four hits to beat the punchless New York Yankees 4-1

APRIL 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS