Salt Lake Bees: Will Smith won't forget his first start

SALT LAKE CITY — Will Smith made his first-ever start above the Class-A level on Wednesday night at Spring Mobile Ballpark, pitching for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees against the Round Rock Express.

It will, no doubt, be a night the 20-year-old lefty will never forget — and not because it produced a Hollywood-like ending despite Smith having the same name as a big-time movie star.

No, Smith's first Triple-A start will be unforgettable because he gave up two homers and three runs to the first four batters he faced before settling down and pitching a solid game. Smith was the losing pitcher of record in the 6-2 Round Rock victory, but the fact that he made it five-plus innings after his rough start showed his new manager something.

"(Smith) threw the ball well for his first outing in Triple-A," said Bees manager Bobby Mitchell. "He's going to be a good pitcher. He's very young still, obviously, and he's still learning and trying to master his craft. But he went out there and challenged the guys."

Smith agreed that it was a learning experience for him.

"I learned a lot of things tonight. I learned that guys hit balls that are belt high down the middle a long ways," Smith said.

Oswaldo Navarro, the second hitter of the game, hit a two-run shot for Round Rock, and then Utah native Chris Shelton pounded another homer two batters later to give the Express a 3-0 lead.

For Shelton, a former Cottonwood High and University of Utah star, it was his first homer at Spring Mobile Ballpark since he was a Ute.

The Express added a run in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead and the Bees never caught up. Smith, however, finished by pitching three straight scoreless innings.

"After the first inning, it was a positive tonight," Smith said. "Nobody likes to go out and get the loss, but for the way the first inning went, I'll definitely take this."

The Bees offense, meanwhile, struggled once again. They managed only three hits all night off three Round Rock pitchers.

Salt Lake has now lost four straight games to fall to 15-17 on the year. Round Rock improved to 14-19.

BEES WAX: The Bees had two more roster moves on Wednesday, as pitcher Matt Palmer was placed on the disabled list and pitcher Ryan Aldridge was promoted to Salt Lake from Double-A Arkansas. Aldridge, in nine games with the Travelers, went 0-0 with a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings of relief. There have now been 15 roster transactions for the Bees since last Friday. ... Lefty Daniel Davidson (3-0, 5.46 ERA) is scheduled to start against Round Rock lefty Wesley Wright (1-0, 2.78 ERA) tonight. Wednesday night's announced attendance was 3,054.

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