Detroit – You just hope somebody fed the darn praying mantises.
Left-hander Josh Smoker was on his way to get food for a pair of praying mantises who have become a good-luck charm for the Toledo Mud Hens’ playoff push when he was called into the manager’s office and told he’d been called up to the Tigers.
“It seems like every time I’ve been called up, it’s been a surprise,” said Smoker, who has pitched parts of three seasons in the big leagues, including a short stint with the Pirates earlier this season. “But it doesn’t matter how it happens, it’s always enjoyable and a good experience.