Trash Pandas Shutout 6-0 To End Road Trip
The Rocket City Trash Pandas’ bid for the first series sweep in franchise history came up short in a 6-0 loss to the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday afternoon in the finale of their six-game series at Smokies Stadium. With the game scoreless in the bottom of the seventh, the Trash
The Rocket City Trash Pandas’ bid for the first series sweep in franchise history came up short in a 6-0 loss to the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday afternoon in the finale of their six-game series at Smokies Stadium.
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the seventh, the Trash Pandas turned to Kieran Lovegrove out of the bullpen. He struggled, issuing three walks in a row to load the bases with nobody out. Boomer BIegalski then entered for the Trash Pandas and gave up a sacrifice fly to Erick Castillo to score the first run of the game. Reivaj Garcia doubled in two more before Darius Hill singled in Garcia, putting the Smokies ahead 4-0. That would prove to be more than enough for the home team.
The matchup began as a pitcher’s duel between Tennessee’s Javier Assad and Kyle Tyler for Rocket City.
The Trash Pandas’ best chance for an early lead came in the second, as a double from David MacKinnon and a single from Ibandel Isabel put runners on the corners with nobody out. But Assad induced a pop up from Ray-Patrick Didder and a double play ground out from Mitch Nay to end the threat.
Tyler retired the first eight batters he faced and was sharp for the duration of his outing. He gave up a walk and a single in the fifth but induced a fly out from Garica to keep the game scoreless.
Over 6.0 scoreless innings, Tyler gave up just three hits and one walk along with one walk and seven strikeouts to lower his ERA on the season to a team-best 2.08. For the Smokies, Assad also threw 6.0 scoreless innings, but neither starter factored in the final decision.
Lovegrove (L, 2-1) suffered his first loss of the year after not getting an out in the seventh. Biegalski completed the inning and gave up one run with one walk and two strikeouts. Kyle Molnar pitched the eighth inning and allowed two runs to cross on three hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Tennessee relievers Ryan Lawlor and Juan Gamez combined to pitch the final three innings and finish the shutout for the Smokies. The loss marks the first time the Trash Pandas have been shutout this season, as they were held to just five hits in the loss.
Despite the loss, the Trash Pandas earned a series victory with five wins in six games against the Smokies and have won 10 of 12 games over their Double-A South North Division rivals to start the season.
The Trash Pandas (18-17) return home to begin a six-game series with the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday night. First pitch at Toyota Field is set for 6:35 p.m. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio. The game will also be televised locally on WAAY-31.6, This TV.