SL Rocket City Trash Pandas

Rocket City Defeated by Tennessee 10-2

July 26, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Rocket City Trash Pandas News Release


MADISON, Alabama - The Rocket City Trash Pandas fell behind early and, despite a few web gems in the field, couldn't climb back into the game in a 10-2 loss to the Tennessee Smokies on Wednesday night at Toyota Field in front of 5,168.

The Smokies wasted little time in opening the scoring. Pete Crow-Armstrong walked to start the game against Rocket City starter Brett Kerry. Two hitters later, Owen Cassie connected on a two-run homer to right-center, his 17th of the season to give the Smokies the early edge. Three straight singles plated another run, capped by Pablo Aliendo's base hit to center to score BJ Murray.

Rocket City got one back in the bottom of the second on Sonny DiChiara's fourth home run of the season, a solo shot over the Smokies bullpen in left field off Smokies starter Walker Powell.

The Smokies nearly added on in the top of the third on Caissie's deep drive to left. However, a leaping catch at the wall from Rocket City left fielder Tucker Flint robbed a potential home run to keep the deficit at two.

An inning later, Tennessee put the game out of reach. Bradlee Beesley began the frame with a solo homer to left. Jordan Nwogu followed with a double before Andy Weber's two-run homer to right made it 6-1 Smokies. Caissie added an RBI double later in the frame to make it 7-1 Smokies. Tennessee continued the rally with two more hits to put runners on the corners with two outs. Against new Trash Pandas reliever Jake Lee, Aliendo hit a deep fly ball to left-center, where Bryce Teodosio made a leaping catch at the wall to prevent another extra-base hit and end the inning.

Kerry (L, 4-4) lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits with one walk and one strikeout to suffer the loss.

Rocket City immediately loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning in a bid to get back into the game. DiChiara's sacrifice fly plated Edgar Quero, who began the inning with a single. Powell got through the frame without further damage by inducing an inning-ending double play to hold the 7-2 lead.

Lee was stellar out of the Rocket City bullpen, with some help from his defense. Flint made another spectacular leaping catch at the wall in the fifth, soaring to rob Weber of his second home run of the night. Lee pitched 4.1 scoreless relief innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three.

Aliendo capped the scoring with a three-run homer in the ninth against Kenyon Yovan, putting the Smokies into double digits at 10-2.

Powell (W, 6-5) picked up the win by giving up two runs on three hits with five strikeouts over six innings. Smokies relievers Porter Hodge and Samuel Reyes combined to finish the victory.

Rocket City was held to three hits in the loss, with DiChiara driving in both runs for the home team.

The Trash Pandas (39-52, 8-14 second half) continue the series with the Smokies (53-38, 17-6 second half) on Thursday night. First pitch at Toyota Field is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio. The game will be televised locally on WAAY 31.6, This TV.

Thursday's game features happy hour from 5-7 p.m., when fans can enjoy $3 domestic drafts at the Inline Electric Rock Porch and Bill Penney Toyota Plaza. As part of Burgers and Buds Thursday, fans can get a burger and a Bud or Bud Light for $12, available at Dumpster Dive and Gravity Grille concession stands.

Check out the Rocket City Trash Pandas Statistics



Southern League Stories from July 26, 2023


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