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Smith went 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs and two RBI in Friday's 9-5 win against Pittsburgh.
Smith's third-inning two-run single wasn't well-struck -- it was a blooper that landed in right field on a check swing -- but it was a big moment for the catcher given his post-break slump that had included a .096 batting average and 32.2 percent strikeout rate over his previous 13 contests. The recent punchouts have been particularly out of character for the All-Star backstop, whose strikeout rates have been 16.6 and 16.1 percent in the past two seasons, respectively. Smith's slump has brought his season slash line down to .247/.327/.433, and his .760 OPS is on pace for a career-worst mark. He's still been among the most productive fantasy performers at his position, though, with 15 home runs, 60 RBI and 54 runs over 407 plate appearances on the campaign.
