Smith picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Smith was called on in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order. Since being named a co-closer with Aroldis Chapman coming out of the All-Star break, Smith has converted each of his three save opportunities, allowing just one run on four hits across 6.2 innings in that span.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Notches save No. 17
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Smith didn't allow a baserunner during the ninth inning to earn the save Tuesday against Tampa Bay. He didn't strike out or walk any batters.
Smith entered for the ninth inning with a two-run lead and quickly retired the side in order on just 10 pitches for his 17th save in 19 opportunities. The veteran lefty has given up just one hit across his past five outings and has a 2.75 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB over 36 innings this season. Manager Bruce Bochy recently named Smith and Aroldis Chapman as co-closers, with the former picking up Texas' last two saves.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Picks up hold
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Smith struck out two batters over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over Cleveland.
Smith, who needed just 19 pitches to get those five outs, shepherded the lead to the ninth inning for Aroldis Chapman, who was as efficient as Smith in picking up his first save since joining Texas. Earlier in the day, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced that Smith and Chapman would be co-closers, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com. Smith's value obviously takes a hit with the new arrangement, but he's converted 15 of 17 save opportunities and is a trusted arm.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Picks up 16th save
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Smith allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Guardians.
Smith has lost the full-time closer job, but he remains in the ninth-inning mix while sharing duties with Aroldis Chapman. The Rangers didn't take the lead until the eighth inning Sunday, so this was a bit of a surprise save chance. Smith has converted 16 of 18 save opportunities with a 2.83 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB through 35 innings. With the Rangers among the top teams in the American League, Smith should continue to see plenty of save chances, though he's also likely to pick up some more holds along the way.
Smith recorded the final out Tuesday to collect his 15th save of the season in a 6-2 win over the Red Sox.
Josh Sborz began the ninth inning on the mound for the Rangers, but a single and a catcher's interference call on Mitch Garver put two runners aboard with two outs, and Smith got the call to retire Alex Verdugo and end the threat. The veteran lefty reliever had just blown his second save of the season Monday, but since the beginning of June, Smith has a 2.92 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 12.1 innings. His spot as the closer doesn't appear to be in any jeopardy from the newly acquired Aroldis Chapman.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Tagged with second blown save
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Smith (1-3) blew the save and took the loss Monday against the Astros. He allowed two runs on three hits over one inning.
It's Smith's first blown save since May 5 -- he'd pitched to a 2.00 ERA over his last 18 innings. The 33-year-old southpaw is now 14-for-16 in save chances this year with a 3.19 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB in 31 innings this season. Smith has certainly pitched well enough to hang onto the closing job, though the newly acquired Aroldis Chapman has been quickly working his way up the Rangers' bullpen hierarchy.
Smith retired the lone batter he faced in Saturday's 5-2 win over Houston.
Smith entered a non-save situation with two outs in the ninth inning after Joe Barlow gave up a two-run home run to Kyle Tucker. Smith needed the work after not pitching since June 23. Lots of fantasy eyes are on Smith, who emerged as Texas' closer but could lose save opportunities to the recently acquired Aroldis Chapman. Rangers general manager Chris Young told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that whether Chapman is used as a closer is up to manager Bruce Bochy, but the GM wouldn't rule out that possibility.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Posts save Friday
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Smith struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-2 extra-inning win over the Yankees.
Smith made sure Adolis Garcia's go-ahead home run in the top of the 10th inning was enough for the Rangers to get the win. This was Smith's 10th straight save conversion, and he's allowed just four runs over 17.2 innings in that span. The left-hander has been a stabilizing force at the back of the Rangers' bullpen with a 2.73 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 29.2 innings while converting 14 of 15 save chances and adding four holds this season.
Smith allowed a hit and one walk in a scoreless inning Monday, striking out one and earning a save in the Rangers' 5-2 win over the White Sox.
Smith put two runners on base to open the inning but escaped unscathed in the 5-2 victory. He's now converted nine consecutive save chances and has picked up 13 of his 14 opportunities on the year. The veteran southpaw dropped his ERA to 2.89 alongside a 31:8 K:BB through 28 frames this season.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Secures 12th save
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Smith gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 12th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.
The veteran reliever converted his eighth straight save chance, a stretch that dates back to May 8 in which he's posted a 2.40 ERA and 18:2 K:BB through 15 innings. Smith has solidified the back of the Texas bullpen this season, reaching double-digit saves for the fourth time in his career, and his rebound this season may be the product of more than a little luck -- despite a career-low 23 percent groundball rate and career-high 41 percent flyball rate, his 5.7 percent HR/FB% is less than half his 2022 mark.
Smith pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save Tuesday over the Cardinals. He struck out one in his appearance.
Smith has now tossed four straight scoreless outings while not allowing a hit and picking up two saves and a win in the process. He's now converted 11-of-12 save chances on the year and sports a 2.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB over 22 innings.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Picks up first win
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Smith (1-2) picked up the win over St. Louis on Monday, allowing one walk while striking out one over one scoreless inning.
Smith was ready to enter a save situation, but Grant Anderson was unable to hold a two-run, eighth-inning lead. He earned his first win of the season when Nathaniel Lowe walked off the Cardinals with a single.
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Rangers' Will Smith: Locks down 10th save
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Smith struck out one in a perfect inning to earn a save over Seattle on Friday.
Smith needed just seven pitches to finish off the 2-0 win with no trouble. He picked up his first save since May 24 and he's now converted six consecutive opportunities. The 33-year-old lefty has produced a 3.15 ERA and a 24:6 K:BB through 20 frames.
