Mallex Smith’s major league baseball education continued on Thursday at Fenway Park. The good thing for the Braves is that even while learning Smith contributed to a much-needed victory.
The rookie center fielder went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs in the Braves’ 5-3 victory over the Red Sox. Smith also committed a pair of base-running blunders.
Such is life in the big leagues so far for Smith, who is rated the top outfield prospect in the organization. He’s has had his ups-and-downs since the Braves promoted him from Triple-A Gwinnett on April 11 when center fielder Ender Inciarte went on the disabled list.
“He causes some havoc on the bases,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He’s getting good at-bats and scoring some runs. The young man keeps getting better and better every time we run him out there. I’m pleased with his progress.”
Smith’s RBI double in the second inning tied the game and he scored when Nick Markakis followed with a two-run single. Smith added an RBI single in the sixth that put the Braves ahead 5-2 and doubled again in the eighth inning.
But Smith was caught stealing after each of his last two hits. In both cases the Braves came out on the wrong end of replay reviews.
In the sixth inning Smith slid in under a tag by shortstop Xander Bogaerts and was called safe by umpire Joe West. But Red Sox manager John Farrell challenged the fall and replay umpires in New York determined that Smith came off the bag with Bogaerts applying the tag.
Did Smith think he was safe?
“That’s not for me to determine,” Smith said. “I know I will be ready to be all the way safe next time.”
After Smith’s one-out double in the eighth, he attempted to steal third with Nick Markakis at bat. Umpire Kerwin Danley called Smith out. Gonzalez challenged the play but the call stood.
Gonzalez said he had no issue with Smith trying to steal in that situation but faulted him for hesitating before running.
“Once you take that false step and you can’t go—that’s here the experience comes in—shut it down don’t go,” Gonzalez said. “He’ll learn that here in the big leagues, where in Triple-A you steal that bag and not learn from it. It’s a good teaching moment. But also I thought it was a good play.”
Smith had 226 stolen bases in 285 attempts during 393 games in the minor leagues. In the majors the pitchers have quicker deliveries to the plate and the catchers have stronger arms.
“I probably should have shut it down,” Smith said of his second steal attempt. “It’s a learning experience. I’m going to go through my lumps. This is one of those things I’ve got to learn.”
Smith said his first game played at Fenway Park included some lively heckling by fans in the center field bleachers.
“It’s awesome, great environment, great fans,” Smith said. “It’s been a great day.”
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