Smith showing his resurgence at the perfect time

After being sidelined with hand injury, L.A. catcher is rediscovering his offensive clout as postseason player.

- BY KEVIN BAXTER

MAX MUNCY went yard as well, working off Smith's momentum and helping to end the night for Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman.

(ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times)

Will Smith had no choice but to ease his way into the postseason.

After missing the final three weeks of the regular season with a hairline fracture in his right hand, the Dodgers' All-Star catcher sat out the National League wildcard series, then came off the bench late in the first two games against the Phillies in the division series.

He's been making up for that lost time ever since.

Despite spotting his teammates those four starts, Smith's .314 postseason average is best among Dodgers with at least 10 at-bats. He has 11 hits, the biggest of which came in the seventh inning Saturday when his tiebreaking solo homer sparked the Dodgers to a 5-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, evening the best-of-seven World Series at a win apiece.

The series resumes Monday at Dodger Stadium where the Dodgers, now owning the home-field advantage in the playoff, can close things out.

"We're 1-1 right now. So we're heading back to L.A. trying to win three more," Smith said.