Smyly (1-2) surrendered six hits, an earned run and a walk over seven innings in Sunday's 8-1 victory over the Yankees. He struck out six.
The lefty was finally rewarded with a victory after his third consecutive quality start, thanks to some rare offensive support. Despite the fact that he'd pitched 15 innings of four-hit ball while only allowing two earned runs over his prior two starts combined, Smyly had walked away with a loss and no-decision in those games. The 26-year-old managed to keep the Yankees frustrated all afternoon, throwing 64 of 93 pitches for strikes and notching first-pitch strikes on 17 of the 28 batters he faced. Smyly has clearly been the most effective of the Rays' top four starters so far this season, his rather lackluster record notwithstanding.