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SL Rocket City Trash Pandas

Trash Pandas Fall to Smokies in "Unearned" Fashion

June 30, 2021 - Southern League (SL)
Rocket City Trash Pandas News Release


KODAK, TN - A costly fielding error by Rocket City leftfielder Orlando Martinez, and an inability to limit the damage from pitcher Aaron Hernandez, led to six unearned sixth-inning runs for the Tennessee Smokies as they took their second straight game from the Trash Pandas 7-2 Wednesday night in front of 3,365 fans at Smokies Stadium.

The game started as a pitcher's duel until the sixth inning when the unraveling began. Hernandez allowed a leadoff walk to second baseman Carlos Sepulveda, then recorded back-to-back strikeouts. With two away, centerfielder Brennen Davis knuckled a line drive to left that Martinez misread. He ultimately ran in and tried to make a shoestring catch, but had the ball go off his glove for a two-base error, putting runners at second and third.

That opened the floodgates as Hernandez could not overcome the mistake and allowed the next five batters reach. He gave up a two-run double to first baseman Jared Young, which was followed by an RBI double from third baseman Chase Strumpf. Catcher Tyler Payne came up next and lined a single to center to score Strumpf. After leftfielder Darius Hill walked, rightfielder Christopher Morel capped the scoring with another two-run double to give the Smokies a 6-0 lead.

The Trash Pandas scored their lone two runs in the seventh as a single from first baseman David MacKinnon was followed by a two-run blast to right from designated hitter Ibandel Isabel to make the score 6-2. Tennessee scored their final run in the bottom-half on a solo homer by Davis.

Getting the win for Tennessee was starter Erich Uelman (2-5) who fired six shutout innings on three hits. He also walked two and struck out four. The loss went to Hernandez (2-2) as the right-hander allowed six unearned runs on six hits over 3.1 frames with three walks and six strikeouts. Starting the game for Rocket City was Angels reliever Christopher Rodriguez who continued his transition into a starting role by firing 2.2 scoreless innings on two hits with no walks and three punchouts.

Rocket City collected six hits for the game while Tennessee had nine. Nobody had more than one hit for the Trash Pandas while the Smokies got a 2-4 performance from Young who doubled, scored a run and drove in two. Chipping in was shortstop Andy Weber who singled twice in four at-bats.

The Trash Pandas (24-23) will continue their six-game series against Tennessee (18-30) Thursday evening at Smokies Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT. The game can be heard on 103.9 FM THE UMP and SportsRadio 730 AM with Josh Caray on the call.

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