Velazquez Homers Again, But Trash Pandas Even Up Series

SEVIERVILLE, TN - The Tennessee Smokies (37-47) lost to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (43-42), 8-4, Friday night at Smokies Stadium. Nelson Velazquez homered for the fourth time in the series, and for the third time in the last two days.

Velazquez opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo home run to left field to give Tennessee a 1-0 lead. Rocket City quickly tied the game in the third inning as Anthony Mulrine reached on a two-base error and scored on a Luis Aviles Jr. double.

The game wouldn’t stay tied long as Rocket City scored three runs to take a 4-1 lead in the fourth. David MacKinnon’s double and Izzy Wilson’s gave the Trash Pandas baserunners and a Mitch Nay hit-and-run single brought both runners home. Nay would score an at-bat later on Ray-Patrick Didder’s RBI double.

The Smokies got a run back in the fifth as D.J. Artis was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on Brennen Davis’ RBI single.

Smokies’ starter Javier Assad (L, 3-6) didn’t give up any more damage after the fourth inning, allowing six hits, one walk and three earned runs in 5.1 innings. Brandon Hughes relieved Assad, stranding the bases loaded in the sixth and turning in 1.2 no hit, no run innings.

Rocket City added an insurance run in the eighth on a Christian Molfetta RBI triple, extending the Trash Pandas’ lead to 5-2.

That insurance run proved critical as the Smokies scored two runs in the eighth inning on a Tim Susnara single and Christopher Morel sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 5-4. Rocket City hit three solo home runs in the ninth inning to break the game open.

The Smokies and Trash Pandas continue their six game series Saturday night. First pitch between RHP Caleb Kilian (0-1, 3.18) and RHP Aaron Hernandez (2-4, 7.78) is scheduled for 7 PM. Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.

Saturday night at Smokies Stadium is 90’s night. 12,000 Warheads will be passed out and D.J. Inov-8 will be spinning 90’s tracks. The Smokies will be wearing specialty themed jerseys that will be auctioned off benefiting Tennessee Donor Services. There will also be a post game fireworks show presented by Pepsi and Coors Light. Tickets for the entire homestand are available and can be purchased online, over the phone, or by visiting the box office.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the eight-team Double-A South League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.