Mariners relief pitcher Carson Smith is still finding out just how up and down the majors can be. The reliever had posted 20 consecutive scoreless innings before surrendering a go-ahead home run to Evan Gattis last week.
"I've had both sides," Smith said to The News Tribune. "I've been on the losing end and the winning end. You've just got to keep your head up and know that you're good enough to pitch up here. Prepare yourself that way."
Manager Lloyd McClendon still thinks it's very early to decide on how good Smith can be.
"It is a growing process," McClendon said, "but the thing I really like is is the ability to get back in there, get back in the fire and compete. He's not shying away. That's a good sign."
Smith is trying to keep a short memory.
"I try to flush it out as quick as I can," Smith said. "It'd be easy to say it's gone the minute it's over, but that's not the case. You sleep on it that night. But when you wake up and get to the field the next day by that time, it's gone."