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Pair of Big Innings Blast Trash Pandas Past Shuckers, 14-5

Rocket City scores eight runs in the seventh inning
Zach Neto (Mike Krebs)
August 12, 2022

BILOXI, Mississippi – The Rocket City Trash Pandas scored a flurry of runs in the fourth and seventh innings on Friday night, pulling away from Biloxi for a 14-5 victory. The first three innings went without offense from either side, but Rocket City would deliver the first blow in the

BILOXI, Mississippi – The Rocket City Trash Pandas scored a flurry of runs in the fourth and seventh innings on Friday night, pulling away from Biloxi for a 14-5 victory.

The first three innings went without offense from either side, but Rocket City would deliver the first blow in the top of the fourth. Shuckers first baseman Thomas Dillard misplayed a ball off the bat of Preston Palmeiro, allowing Logan O’Hoppe to score. Ryan Aguilar followed with a roping triple down the right-field line to drive in two, and another Biloxi error would bring in Aguilar to make it 4-0.

Trash Pandas starter Sam Bachman was clean through his first four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth. Cam Devanney began the frame with a single, then Dillard lifted a deep fly ball that center fielder Jordyn Adams lost in the twilight, leading to a double. Two more hits and three runs would come off Bachman, who was then pulled after just 4.2 innings.

Left-hander Nick Jones came on in relief and got an immediate flyout to keep the lead intact. He then faced the minimum in the bottom of the sixth to improve his bullpen brilliance to 12 consecutive scoreless innings.

In the top of the seventh, the Trash Pandas dealt their decisive damage. Livan Soto led off with a walk, stole a base, and scurried home on a Zach Neto single. From there, Rocket City went station-to-station courtesy of hits from Sonny DiChiara, Jeremiah Jackson, Preston Palmeiro, and a second from Neto. All told, eight runs would cross the plate in the inning, a season-high.

2022 third-round draft pick and former Tennessee Volunteer, Ben Joyce, made his second professional relief appearance in the bottom of seventh. He walked his first batter but induced three consecutive groundouts, eclipsing 100 miles per hour on multiple pitches.

14 runs are the most scored in a game by the Trash Pandas this season, and every Rocket City starter registered a hit. 2022 Angels first round draft pick Zach Neto led the way with four runs batted in, his second straight three-hit night.

The Trash Pandas (61-45, 20-17 second half) continue their series with the Biloxi Shuckers (52-52, 18-19 second half) on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at MGM Park. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio.