smith

PAWTUCKET — The news wasn’t unexpected.

Chris Smith knew from the moment he went back up to Boston for the second time this season, on June 17, that his stay likely would be brief. And there was no guarantee that the 27-year-old right-hander would even get into a game.

So when Boston manager Terry Francona called him into his office at Tropicana Field after a loss to the Rays on Wednesday night, it came as no shock to Smith that he was headed back to Pawtucket, the victim of the roster move that brought veteran reliever Mike Timlin back to the Red Sox from the disabled list.

Naturally he would have preferred to have stayed in the majors, but Smith brought back to McCoy Stadium with him a big-league win, valuable experience and confidence that all the work he has put in had earned him a promotion to Boston.

He didn’t do any kicking and screaming in Francona’s office when he was told he was being optioned to the minors.

“No way,” said Smith yesterday afternoon as the PawSox prepared to play host to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

“It was a total surprise getting called up. There are no hard feelings coming down. It was the fastest two weeks of my life. Going back down is like returning to the family. You’re sad to leave, but happy to be back with family. It’s a bittersweet kind of thing,” said the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder.

Smith, who did not get into a game in his first brief stint with Boston, from May 18-20, had mixed results in the big leagues. The second batter he faced after inheriting a bases-loaded jam from Daisuke Matsuzaka against St. Louis on June 21 was Troy Glaus, and Glaus launched a grand slam.

Smith, though, saved the bullpen with four innings that day, just the one run charged to him. And after holding the Diamondbacks at bay for two innings on June 24, he was rewarded with his first major-league win, thanks to a late Red Sox rally. In his other outing, Smith walked three and was charged with a run in only one-third of an inning against Tampa Bay in a 5-4 loss last Monday.

The whole time he spent with Boston, though, was a learning experience for Smith, a fourth-round draft pick in 2002 who has battled his share of injuries.

“Every game is intense, crucial,” said Smith. “You just go to work and learn from that.”

Now he’s back in Pawtucket. When he left, Smith, who spent most of his first six years in the organization as a starting pitcher, had worked into a role as the PawSox’ closer. He was 1-2 with a 1.52 earned-run average in 22 games, 18 as a reliever. He was 8 for 8 in save chances.

Smith, though, may not just be asked to pick up where he left off in the Pawtucket bullpen. Hunter Jones has picked up five saves in Smith’s absence.

“Not necessarily. Hunter Jones has done a nice job,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson when asked if Smith would be handed the closer’s role.

Johnson said it was likely that he would have Smith and Jones work multiple innings, stretching them out because if either one or both should be called up to Boston, that’s what their roles would be. They certainly aren’t going to supplant Jonathan Papelbon as Boston’s closer.

Smith, though, would be thrilled to return in any capacity.

“It was all nice up there,” said Smith. “I had some confidence knowing that what I was doing down here was working up there. I was getting big-league hitters out. That was a big pat on the back.”

skrasner@projo.com