Trash Pandas Drop Opener To Smokies 10-1

MADISON, Alabama – A large early deficit proved too much for the Rocket City Trash Pandas to overcome in a 10-1 loss to the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday in the opener of their six-game series on Armed Forces Night at Toyota Field.

The Trash Pandas threatened to score in the opening inning. Aaron Whitefield led off with a single on the first pitch to extend his franchise-record hitting streak to 19 games. He promptly stole second for his team-leading 14th stolen base of the season. Livan Soto followed with a walk and a ground out advanced the runners to second and third. But Orlando Martinez popped up on the infield and Jeremiah Jackson struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tennessee responded to take the lead in the top of the second against Trash Pandas starter Brett Kerry on an RBI single to left from Luis Vazquez. The visitors added on in the second with an RBI double from Alexander Canario, who came home to score on Bryce Ball’s single. Yonathan Perlaza capped the inning’s scoring with a two-run homer to right, putting Tennessee up 5-0 and ending Kerry’s night.

Over three innings, Kerry (L, 1-1) gave up five runs on seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts to suffer his first professional loss.

Jack Dashwood entered in the fourth and allowed a solo homer to Vazquez for the sixth Smokies run of the night. Two innings later, a three-run shot by Levi Jordan put the game out of reach for the visitors at 9-0.

Rocket City got a run back in the bottom of the sixth when Martinez led off the frame with a double and came around to score on a double play ground out.

Nick Jones was next out of the Rocket City bullpen in the seventh and pitched a clean inning. Sean McLaughlin ended the night on the mound for Rocket City by giving up a run in the ninth.

At the plate for the Trash Pandas, Martinez and Kevin Maitan each recorded a pair of hits in the loss. As a team, the Trash Pandas left 12 men on base after going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

For the Smokies, starter Javier Assad (W, 2-1) picked up the win with five scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing five hits.

The Trash Pandas (23-17) and Smokies (24-16) continue their series with a single-admission doubleheader on Friday at Toyota Field. The start of the first game is set for 4:05 p.m. The second game will start approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first, but no earlier than 6:35 p.m. Tickets for May 27 are valid for both games of the doubleheader. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio. The games will also be televised locally on WAAY-31.6, This TV. Check listings for additional cable carriers.

Following the second game on Friday night, a dazzling fireworks display will light up the Rocket City sky, courtesy of Inline Electric.