D-Jays' Smith comes up short in no-hit bid

Murphy Smith said he has a fresh opportunity in Dunedin. If his performance on Saturday night is any indication, he doesn't plan to let that opportunity go to waste.

The veteran right-hander came within four outs of a no-hitter and tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in a seven-inning complete game as Dunedin blanked Brevard County, 5-0, to salvage a split of a doubleheader at Space Coast Stadium. 

Smith (3-3) held the Manatees hitless until Omar Garcia singled with two outs in the sixth. He settled for a three-hitter and the first complete game of his seven-year career.

The 27-year-old was a Texas League All-Star with the A's Double-A affiliate in Midland in 2012 and 2013. But he spent last season in the RockHounds bullpen, posting a 4.73 ERA over 85 2/3 innings. Released by the team that drafted him in 2009, he signed with the Blue Jays, who assigned him to the Florida State League.

"It's obviously not ideal," Smith said of his situation. "But the way I look at it, here's my chance. My opportunities had dried up in Oakland and I have a new one here and I'm going to take advantage of every opportunity at any level here."

The SUNY-Binghamton product kept the Manatees off-balance with strong command that allowed him to get ahead of the hitters quickly.

"They're an aggressive team," Smith said. "Getting ahead early helped put them on the defensive. Once I got ahead, they were chasing up, chasing down. I was executing my pitches ahead in the count."

What made the 6-foot-3 righty's performance even more impressive was that he was throwing to a catcher he just met earlier in the day. Martin Medina was making his first start with Dunedin since being acquired from the White Sox for cash considerations.

"I got to know Martin before the game," Smith said. "It worked really well. We had a good rhythm. You never know how it will go the first time with a guy. Obviously, there were a few shakes, but for the most part, he was a quick learner and we were on the same page."

Smith, a New Hampshire native, was well aware of the no-hitter going into the sixth inning. He fell behind, 2-0, on Garcia before serving up the first hit of the evening.

"It wasn't a bad pitch," he said. "I thought I made the right pitch and he just got enough of the bat on it to get the hit. It was a little letdown, obviously, but at the same time, you just have to tip your cap to him. It was a good pitch and he did a nice bit of hitting."

Smith gave up two more hits with two outs in the seventh but got Garrett Cooper on a comebacker to wrap up the Blue Jays' fourth shutout of the season.

Manatees starter Tristan Archer (1-2) matched Smith into the sixth, when Christian Lopes delivered an RBI double. An error by shortstop Angel Ortega produced two more runs and L. B. Dantzler added an RBI single.