Smoak Sent to AAA in Tacoma

The Seattle Mariners have sent first baseman Justin Smoak, a Stratford High grad, to AAA Tacoma after a string of batting misses at the plate.

"I think everybody's seen what's been going on," Smoak told The Seattle Times. "It's just one of those things where you go down there, get your work in and I get back to where I was a couple of months ago.

Smoak told the paper that you never want to get sent down, but he's ready to make it work. "It's something you've got to go through sometimes to get to where you want to be," he said.

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Fellow Stratford grad said earlier this month that he thought Smoak would get past this slump.

"He's going to hit," Weiters said. "I know it's taking longer than everyone wants, but he's going to hit. He has that kind of ability and that kind of talent."

More:

• Read more of the Seattle Times article, including an interivew with manager Eric Wedge.
• Read more Patch coverage of Justin Smoak
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