Smokies Fall Short of Comeback against Trash Pandas, 11-9
July 2, 2022 - Southern League (SL)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Kodak, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies (39-35, 2-3) nearly completed a miraculous comeback Saturday night at Smokies Stadium, as they fell to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (44-30, 3-2) 11-9. Tennessee trailed by as many as six runs twice in the game, but were unable to finish what would have been its largest comeback of the season.
The Smokies scored in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, trimming Rocket City's lead down to two runs in the end. Tennessee even brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Bryce Ball struck out to end the game. First baseman Matt Mervis drove in four runs on the night, and shortstop Luis Vazquez totaled four hits in the eight-hole.
RHP Ryan Jensen (L, 0-2) was charged with six earned runs over three innings of work. Out of the bullpen, Bailey Horn and Danis Correa kept Tennessee within striking distance as they held Rocket City scoreless over the final two frames, but ultimately it was not enough.
The Smokies will play the series-finale with Rocket City Sunday evening at Smokies Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET when the Smokies send RHP Anderson Espinoza (1-4, 7.27 ERA) to the mound against LHP Adam Seminaris (2-2, 4.67 ERA). Fans can catch the action on 99.1 The Sports Animal or by visiting https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.
Smokies Stadium will host a special Independence Day Weekend Celebration Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3, with fireworks set to take place after each game all weekend and Independence Day themed jerseys on Sunday. For tickets, call the box office at (865) 286-2300 or visit smokiesbaseball.com.
Southern League Stories from July 2, 2022
- M-Braves Stomp Shuckers 18-4 for Third-Straight Win - Mississippi Braves
- Trash Pandas Win Wild One in Tennessee, 11-9 - Rocket City Trash Pandas
- Biscuits Split Double-Header with Pensacola, Blanked 2-0, Bounce Back 5-4 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Early Runs Lead to M-Braves' Blitz of Biloxi - Biloxi Shuckers
- Chattanooga Loses to Birmingham, 7-3 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Smokies Fall Short of Comeback against Trash Pandas, 11-9 - Knoxville Smokies
- Lindgren Twirls Shutout as Blue Wahoos Split Twin Bill - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Barons Offensive Onslaught over Lookouts Continues in 10-4 Win - Birmingham Barons
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