SL Rocket City Trash Pandas

Smokies Win Over Trash Pandas, 4-3

Published on May 17, 2024 under Southern League (SL)
Rocket City Trash Pandas News Release


KODAK, TENNESSEE - A two-out bloop single from Tennessee catcher Pablo Aliendo lifted the Smokies over the Trash Pandas 4-3 Friday evening from Smokies Stadium.

Tennessee scored the game's first run in the third on a sac fly to center from designated hitter Moises Ballesteros.

The Trash Pandas would use the long ball to sprint ahead in the fourth as outfielder Eric Wagaman and catcher Tyler Payne each belted dingers to put Rocket City ahead. Payne followed with an RBI single in the sixth to make the score 3-1.

The Smokies muscled up to tie the game in the sixth. Rightfielder Ezequiel Pagan ripped a two-run blast to right to make it a 3-3 ballgame.

Things stayed that way until the bottom of the ninth. With two out and nobody on base, reliever Michael Darrel-Hicks (L, 2) surrendered a two-strike double to infielder Luis Verdugo. After an intentional walk to leftfielder Yohendrick Pinango, Aliendo worked the count to 2-2 before flaring a single into left-center to score Verdugo and give Tennessee the win.

It was the first earned run given up in 19 innings by Darrel-Hicks, which had been a Southern League lead for most innings pitched without giving up an earned run in 2024.

Tennessee's bullpen was stellar as Cayne Ueckert, Cam Sanders and Frankie Scalzo Jr. (W, 2) combined to toss three innings of one-hit, shutout ball.

The Trash Pandas and Smokies will meet again on Saturday with first pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. Josh Caray will have the call on WZZN 97.7-HD2.

Probable Starters: Jack Kochanowicz (RCT) vs. Connor Noland (TNS)

Check out the Rocket City Trash Pandas Statistics

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Southern League Stories from May 17, 2024


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