MIAMI (The Sports Xchange) — With a .130 batting average, Mallex Smith makes for an unlikely hero.
But the rookie outfielder, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., came back to his home state and delivered a game-winning RBI single in the top of the 10th inning on Sunday as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Miami Marlins 6-5 at Marlins Park.
Smith, a 22-year-old who made his big-league debut on Monday, got his one-out hit off reliever Edwin Jackson (0-1), scoring Drew Stubbs from third base.
“I didn’t want to miss the fastball,” said Smith, who swung at the first pitch from Jackson.