Former starter Smith gaining trust in Reds’ bullpen

CINCINNATI — Reliever Josh Smith is often in the front end of the Reds’ bullpen, asked to work long relief or low-leverage situations when the team is trailing. But there are occasions when he’s been needed to step into a higher-profile situation, and Smith hasn’t disappointed.

One of those moments came during Wednesday’s 3-2 Reds win over the Marlins. Smith, who entered in the sixth after Homer Bailey was lifted with his team trailing by one run, pitched two scoreless innings with no hits, two walks and two strikeouts for the victory.

Smith, 29, entered Thursday with a 2-1 record and a 4.21 ERA in 22 appearances. He has allowed 33 hits and 18 walks with 32 strikeouts and a .239 opponents’ batting average over 36 1/3 innings. But in high-leverage situations, batters are hitting .217 against him. In one-run games, Smith has a 1.80 ERA in seven appearances.

“It’s always helpful to come into close games and pitch well,” Smith said. “I’ve come into a couple of one-run games — with us either up or down — and pitched well. I know my big innings have come in blowouts, but that’s no real excuse to give up runs. I try to take every batter like …

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