Smith pitches five perfect frames for Hooks

Like any good student, Kyle Smith does his homework, and that paid big dividends on Saturday.
The Astros' prospect worked five perfect innings with four strikeouts to help lead Double-A Corpus Christi over Tulsa, 5-3, at ONEOK Field.

"He's a really big student of the game," Corpus Christi manager Rodney Linares said. "He likes to read all of his numbers and stats and look at all the heat maps and that kind of stuff. He's pretty good with it, too." 
The Astros organization has embraced analytics and Linares said his clubhouse is no different.
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"I think it has become part of the culture we have now," he said. "Five years ago, if you had asked me about all the shifts and stuff we have now, I would have told you that you're crazy. But, being on board the past five years and seeing it work, it's become part of what we do.
"It's something that the players are learning about here, because when you get to the Major Leagues, it's not time to learn, it's time to produce. I was probably one of the biggest skeptics, but now I can't manage a game without looking at these charts."
Using a diverse pitch mix to keep the Drillers off-balance, Smith (2-1) cruised through the first without the ball leaving the infield. 
"He was touching 90-91 [mph], but he's got really good life and it plays down, so he's done a very good job. He's got the type of delivery where he hides the ball really well and he's been throwing some really good off-speed," Linares added.
Following a few rough starts to open the season, Hooks pitching coach Dave Borkowski worked with Smith on modifying his delivery to add more deception and keep the ball hidden longer. The results have paid off as the 24-year-old has lowered his ERA from 5.50 on Apr. 29 to 2.63. 
"This has been quality start after quality start for the past month after a rough beginning of the year," Linares said. "He's done everything we've asked and a little bit more. He's done really well over the past month after making some adjustments to his delivery."

J.D. Davis backed his pitcher up in the fourth with a solo homer to right-center field. The Astros' No. 13 prospect leads the Texas League with 13 long balls. 
"Last year, J.D. was kind of really hot or really cold," Linares said. "This year, he's been very consistent and is in really good shape. I think the biggest thing with J.D. is that he can hit the ball out of the park anywhere. It's impressive to see a guy who can guide the ball out to all parts of the field. I'm proud of the success he's had and hope he can maintain it." 
Pitching with a two-run lead, Smith dominated through the fourth but had to battle against Jacob Scavuzzo to begin the fifth. After nine pitches, the 2012 fourth-round pick got Scavuzzo to line out to left, then quickly put away the final two batters to complete his outing.

Smith has a 1.15 WHIP and allowed one home run over 48 innings in 11 appearances, including seven starts, this season. 

"He's not only a good kid but he works his tail off, but his attitude has always been the same," Linares said. "He's a happy-go-lucky guy who loves to engage with everybody. It makes me feel good when guys who work hard like he does do well."
Dodgers No. 4 prospectWalker Buehler (1-1) allowed two runs and two hits, struck out four and walked in five innings for Tulsa.