The Dodgers’ minor league system got a massive jolt this Tuesday, with Will Smith, a cornerstone for three championships, launching a bomb in his first rehab appearance with the Comets. Talk about making a statement! It was the absolute highlight on a day filled with close games across the system, proving Smith didn’t miss a beat after being out of action for nearly three months.
Smith’s Return Is Everything
Dude! Will Smith just exploded back onto the field with a bang, dropping a bomb in his first rehab game for the Comets, and honestly, it was the only thing that mattered yesterday. He was immediately named “Player of the Day,” and for good reason: he showed zero rust despite his team ultimately losing. This isn’t some random call-up; this is Smith, the guy who’s been here for all three championships in this incredible run of success, and he needed just three at-bats to leave the yard in his first appearance with the Comets this season. It’s been almost three months since he last took the field, and his return could not come a moment too soon. Beyond the monster shot, Smith also left his mark defensively, throwing out Samad Taylor at second on one of only two stolen base attempts against him. That’s big-time impact on both sides of the ball right there.
Comets Keep Rolling, Drillers Struggle
Even with Smith’s heroics, the Comets dropped a tough 4-3 contest against the Chihuahuas. By the time Smith homered in the fifth inning, the Comets were already trailing four to zip. Starter Landon Knack had a rough outing, his worst since getting demoted back to Triple-A. He couldn’t even finish three full innings, walking three batters and striking out just one. But here’s the kicker: despite the defeat, the Comets are *still* sitting pretty in first place in the East Division. That’s resilience, even when things aren’t perfect.
Down in Double-A, the Tulsa Drillers suffered a 5-2 defeat, leaving a ton of chances on the table. They came up to bat 15 times with at least one runner in scoring position but could only manage a measly two runs, trailing right from the off. Starter Adam Serwinowski got lit up early, allowing a pair of runs in the first inning, and conceded five total in 5.2 innings. Josue De Paula ended the night without a hit, as the top two hitters in the order reached base only once in 10 tries. It was only De Paula’s fourth hitless game out of 35 where he had at least five at-bats, so his .312 average for the season is still solid. Mike Sirota did record a knock and a walk, but couldn’t make an impact on the scoreboard.
What’s Next for Smith and the Minors?
The next step for Will Smith is playing a full game, having left his first rehab start after five innings behind the dish. With him back and looking sharp, that can only mean good things. Meanwhile, the High-A Great Lakes Loons are rolling, securing their 67th win by narrowly beating the Lugnuts. They doubled their opponents’ strikeout totals, 16-8, coming from behind with a two-run eighth inning. A wild pitch brought in the winning run for Great Lakes, with Eduardo Guerrero crossing the plate in a game where extra-base hits were scarce. The future is looking bright in the system, and with Smith crushing it, things are definitely looking up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
Leave a Reply