Former closer Smith dies

SAN DIEGO – Dave Smith, a former All-Star closer who holds the Houston Astros’ record for games pitched with 563, died Wednesday. He was 53.

Former big leaguer Tim Flannery said Smith apparently died of a heart attack, but the official cause of death wasn’t known.

“He’s gone. My tears are the rain,” San Francisco Giants third-base coach Flannery told the Associated Press.

Smith served as pitching coach for the Spokane Indians in 1994, one year after Flannery managed the team.

Smith was an All-Star with Houston in 1986 and 1990. He had 216 saves in a 13-year career, including 199 with Houston.