impact player

He didn’t start either of the first two games of the National League Division Series in Philadelphia, but Seth Smith made an impact for Colorado in Game 2 today. The former Ole Miss and Hillcrest Christian star got a pinch-hit single off the leg of Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ in the seventh inning of the Rockies’ series-tying 5-4 win. Happ left the game with what was later called a contusion and may no longer be a candidate to start game 3 on Saturday at Colorado. Smith, who hit .293 with 15 homers and 55 RBIs in the regular season, may be limited to pinch hitting in the postseason because the Rockies have such a plethora of outfielders. But pinch hitting is fine by Smith. It’s a role in which the sweet-swinging lefty excelled this season, leading all of the majors with a .472 average. He’ll no doubt be heard from again.