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Late Home Run Lifts Trash Pandas to Win over Smokies

September 3, 2021 - Southern League (SL)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


MADISON, AL - The Rocket City Trash Pandas (52-48) came from behind to beat the Tennessee Smokies (42-55), 4-2, Friday night at Toyota Field. Harrison Wenson's two-run home run got the scoring started in the second inning, but Rocket City tied the game by the fifth. In the seventh Orlando Martinez hit a two-run home run to give the Trash Pandas their first lead, a lead they would not give back.

Matt Burch singled with two outs to extend the second inning. Wenson came to the plate and hit a 429 foot, two-run home run to left field to put the Smokies in front. Wenson, a former Angels minor leaguer, hit the home run in his first Smokie at-bat.

Livan Soto's RBI groundout in the bottom of the second inning put the Trash Pandas on the board. In the fifth, Ray-Patrick Didder singled, moved to second on Martinez's single, and scored the tying run on David MacKinnon's sacrifice fly.

The Smokies had a chance to take the lead in the top of the seventh, Nelson Velazquez singled and advanced to third with one-out, but did not score. In the bottom half, Didder singled ahead of Martinez's game-winning home run.

In the eighth, the Smokies had the tying run at first base with no outs but failed to score. Wenson doubled then moved to third on Reivaj Garcia's single. Carlos Sepulveda struck out, and Christopher Morel hit into a double play to end the threat.

Ryan Jensen started for the Smokies but did not factor in the decision, he allowed two hits, one run, and struck out five in four innings. Joe Nahas (L, 0-1) allowed the Martinez home run, he took the loss in his Double-A debut. Wenson finished 2-for-3 with the home run, a double, and two RBI.

The Smokies and Trash Pandas continue their four game series from Toyota Field Saturday night. First pitch between RHP Dakota Chalmers (2-3, 5.56) and RHP Cristopher Molina (4-1, 1.99) is scheduled for 7:35 PM ET. Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.

The Smokies return home for the final six-game homestand on Tuesday, September 7th against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Tickets are available and can be purchased online, over the phone, or by visiting the box office.

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