Smith happy to help

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Chris Smith followed Jonathan Papelbon to the mound yesterday and was charged with all five Florida runs, giving up five hits, including a two-run home run to Chris Aguila in the Red Sox' 5-5 tie against the Marlins.

But the line in the box score did not diminish the significance of the appearance for Smith, who has had three summers of injury-related adversity and one terrible Thanksgiving in 2004, when his father, Brian, choked to death in his sleep after dinner.

Smith is not entirely sure what happened to his father, whether there was food lodged in his windpipe or a case of sleep apnea, a disorder in which a person's breathing stops because of a blockage of the airway. His sister and brother-in-law, who were present at the time, thought he was having a heart attack, and administered CPR. Brian Smith, a construction foreman and father of four daughters and a son who shared his love of the Dodgers growing up in Southern California, was 47.

''We used to drive out to spring training together -- he was my driving partner cross-country," Smith said. ''Now I'm riding solo cross-country -- 36 hours -- but there are a lot of good memories. He was my biggest supporter."

When he was healthy, Smith had one of the better arms in the Sox organization -- he was averaging 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings for Double A Portland when he developed shoulder tendinitis in 2004, and in August of that year underwent surgery for a torn posterior labrum, three months before his dad died. The previous year, Smith had an off-road accident in which he sustained a compound fracture of his right forearm that required a metal plate and 12 screws to repair.

He labored in his comeback from shoulder surgery last season, staying behind in extended spring training, then requiring a return visit to Fort Myers for six additional weeks of rehabilitation. His season ended on a positive note, though, as he won the clinching game of the first round of the Eastern League playoffs for Portland in relief of Wade Miller, the former Sox righthander who also was trying to fight his way back from shoulder problems.

Smith, who turns 25 April 9, is now trying to win back a spot on the Sox' 40-man roster. He pitched against Australia in an exhibition earlier in the month, but this was his first appearance in an official game.

''I'm just trying to get myself back on the radar screen," he said. ''My mom and my four sisters -- they're all big fans. We talk every day, they're always calling me. I told them about today -- that was goose bumps for me right there. They're the biggest fans I have."