Former Jacket Josh Smoker makes big league debut

The New York Mets called up Calhoun native Josh Smoker (@Josh_Smoker) on Friday morning for a matchup with the Giants in San Francisco, and this time he made it to the mound.

New York had called Smoker up back in late-July for one game on an expanded double-header roster, but he never saw the field.  Friday’s roster move was a swap with their triple-A Las Vegas 51’s in an attempt to sure up the Mets bullpen down the stretch.

.@Josh_Smoker has been recalled from Triple-A @LasVegas51s. Josh Edgin has been optioned in a corresponding move. pic.twitter.com/fL2Gxmw226

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 19, 2016

Smoker pitched a third of an inning late in the game, giving up one earned run on two hits before being replaced.

A first round MLB Draft pick by the Nationals in 2007, Smoker’s road to the big leagues had been delayed by injury, but on Friday his hard work payed off as he added his name to the pages of the Baseball Almanac.

Here’s the play-by-play on Smoker’s debut:

For more on the former Calhoun Yellow Jacket’s journey to the MLB, read our previous article from July by clicking HERE.