flair for the dramatic

Seth Smith established himself as a clutch hitter last season, when he led the National League with 17 pinch hits. But the former Ole Miss standout set a new personal standard for high drama on Tuesday night. His first walk-off home run — a three-run shot — capped a Colorado record nine-run ninth inning as the Rockies beat St. Louis 12-9. Smith, who was in the Rockies’ lineup, had made an out his first time up in the ninth and told mlb.com that his mindset when he came to bat the second time was simply not to make another one. No worries. He crushed a Ryan Franklin pitch into the right-field seats to trigger a crazy celebration at Coors Field. Though there were no Mississippi-connected position players (natives or collegians) selected to the MLB All-Star Game, Smith might be the most deserving among that group. Playing more frequently in the Rockies outfield this season, he is hitting .291 with 12 home runs.