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SL Rocket City Trash Pandas

Trash Pandas Fall Wednesday in Pensacola 4-2

July 19, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Rocket City Trash Pandas News Release


PENSACOLA, Florida - The Rocket City Trash Pandas fell behind in the first and a late power surge came up short in a 4-2 loss to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

For the third straight start, Rocket City starter John Swanda (L, 0-2) was unable to get through the first inning. The righty walked the first two hitters he faced before a force out put runners at first and third with one out. A wild pitch allowed Nasim Nunez to come in with the first run of the game. Will Banfield's RBI single increased the lead to 2-0. Cody Morissette followed with a two-run double to deep center, doubling the lead to 4-0 and bringing an end to Swanda's start. Robinson Pina came out of the bullpen and ended the inning.

Swanda took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits with two walks and one strikeout in two thirds of an inning. Pina was stellar out of the Rocket City bullpen, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings with three hits against and three strikeouts. Ivan Armstrong was just as good, firing two clean innings of his own with two hits against, one walk, and three strikeouts. Nick Jones struck out the side in order for Rocket City in the seventh.

However, Pensacola starter Luis Palacios (W, 6-3) was nearly unhittable. The southpaw was brilliant for seven scoreless innings as the Trash Pandas could not get a runner past second base. He allowed just four singles and struck out five to earn his sixth victory of the season.

The Blue Wahoos turned to reliever Eli Villalobos in the eighth and the Trash Pandas were finally able to capitalize. Jose Gomez began the inning with his third home run of the season, a solo blast to left to get Rocket City on the board. Two hitters later, David Calabrese launched an opposite field solo shot to left, his 10th home run of the season to cut the Blue Wahoos' lead in half at 4-2.

Jack Dashwood quickly set the Lookouts down in order in the eighth to keep the deficit at two. Rocket City would get no closer as Pensacola closer Zach McCambley (S, 1) retired the side in order in the ninth to finish the win and earn his first save.

The Rocket City bullpen quartet of Pina, Armstrong, Jones, and Dashwood combined to pitch 7.1 scoreless innings, striking out nine while allowing five hits. The eighth-inning homers from Gomez and Calabrese were Rocket City's only extra-base hits.

The Trash Pandas (38-47, 7-9 second half) and Blue Wahoos (50-35, 9-8 second half) continue their series on Thursday night. First pitch at Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio.

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Southern League Stories from July 19, 2023


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