LOS ANGELES — Will Smith’s terrible start with the Giants hit its nadir Aug. 18. Manager Bruce Bochy brought him into the sixth inning of an 8-4 game against the Mets. By the time Smith walked off the mound four hitters later, it was 8-7 after he let two inherited runners score and allowed one run of his own.
“It was like a punch in the mouth,” Smith said Thursday. As he ambled to the dugout, he thought, “Enough of this. I’ve got to be better than this.