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SL Rocket City Trash Pandas

Pensacola's Johnston Fuels Fish Past Pandas

July 18, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Rocket City Trash Pandas News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Southern League's Home Run and RBI leader knocked in five runs en route to Pensacola's 8-3 victory over the Trash Pandas in the series opener at Blue Wahoos Stadium Tuesday night. Blue Wahoos 1B Troy Johnston had a run scoring single in the first, a two-run single in the fifth, and put the game out of reach with another two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

A 26-year-old from Tacoma, Washington, Johnston's league leading total ran to 77, which is 22 ahead of the Trash Pandas OF Orlando Martinez who sits in second with 55.

Owners of the best overall record in the Southern League (49-35), the defending League Champions tallied two in the first inning off Trash Pandas RHP Ky Bush (L, 1-3). The right-hander allowed the two runs on two hits and walk in a 31-pitch first inning. Bush followed the frame by retiring nine of the next ten batters, before surrendering a single and a walk in the fifth. SS Nasim Nunez then rolled a groundball to SS Kyren Paris who bobbled it to load the bases. Bush struck out the Marlins' MLB Rehabbing DH Avisail Garicia and then gave way to RHP Jake Lee. Lee allowed Troy Johnston's two-run single, which gave the first basemen the Pensacola Franchise RBI record (75).

The Trash Pandas had finally broke through in the fifth when 1B Sonny DiChiara legged out a lead-off double, went to third on the first of two balks in the inning by Pensacola RHP Evan Fetterer (W, 6-3), and scored on a base-hit from RF Tucker Flint. Trash Pandas' C Edgar Quero belted a two-run home run in the sixth to make the game 4-3 heading into the seventh.

Lee hit 3B Cobie Fletcher-Vance to lead off the seventh and allowed a one-out walk to Nunez when manager Andy Schatzley summoned RHP Kelvin Caseres. The 23-year-old had not allowed a run in 11 of his last 12 appearances. He promptly hit the rehabbing Garcia in the back to load the bases, and then allowed three hits, including a two-run single to Johnston, a walk, and a run-scoring wild pitch.

Rocket City out hit Pensacola 9-8 in the contest.

The Trash Pandas (38-46, 7-8 in 2nd Half) continue the six-game series with the Blue Wahoos (49-35, 8-8 in 2nd Half) tomorrow night. First Pitch at Blue Wahoos Stadium featuring Admiral Fetterman Field is scheduled for 6:35pm. The Trash Pandas will send RHP Fernando Romero (0-0, 6.00 ERA) to make his first start for the Trash Pandas this season and will be opposed by LHP Luis Palacios (7-15, 5.15 ERA) Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio. The game will broadcast on MiLB.TV, the MLB App, and Bally Live!

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Southern League Stories from July 18, 2023


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