Former Wright State pitcher makes first World Series appearance

Joe Smith has a 1.42 ERA in seven postseason games

Credit: ME

Credit: ME

Houston Astros reliever Joe Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning Tuesday in Game 1 of the World Series, becoming the second former Wright State Raiders pitcher to appear in the Fall Classic.

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Brian Anderson was the first Wright State player to appear in the World Series when he started one game for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the New York Yankees in 2001.

Smith has appeared in 782 regular-season games in his 13-year career. According to Major League Baseball, no active big-leaguer pitcher had made more career appearances before pitching in the World Series for the first time.

Smith, 35, has made seven appearances in the postseason with the Astros this month. He has a 1.42 ERA in 6 1/3 innings.

Smith, an Amelia High School graduate, made 16 relief appearances for the Chicago Cubs in 2016, the year they won the World Series, but did not make the postseason roster.

» LOOKING BACK: Smith pitches well for Indians in 2013

Smith appeared in four games in the American League Championship Series. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning Saturday in Game 6. The Astros beat the New York Yankees 6-4 on a two-run, walk-off home run by Jose Altuve in the 10th inning.

A third-round pick in the 2006 draft, Smith made his big-league debut with the New York Mets in 2007. This is second season in Houston. He compiled a 1.80 ERA in 28 relief appearances in the regular season. Smith ruptured his Achilles tendon in the offseason and made his season debut July 14.

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