Pandas roll past Smokies 6-0 on Education Day

MADISON, AL – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (10-12) opened their homestand Wednesday morning with a dominant 6-0 shutout of the Knoxville Smokies (10-12) at Toyota Field. Joel Hurtado (W, 1-1), Leonard Garcia, and Kenyon Yovan combined on a four-hit shutout—the club's first of the 2026 season.

While the pitching set the tone, Rocket City's offense continued at the league's top pace in front of the Education Day crowd of 6,086. After a 1-2-3 first inning, the Trash Pandas struck first in the second. Tucker Flint ripped a double down the right-field line and scored moments later on the first of two RBI singles by Matthew Lugo. The Southern League's top hitter in 2026, Wade Meckler, reached base three times and added his team-best fourth home run in the third inning to extend the lead to 2-0.

Hurtado delivered his best outing of the season, allowing just two singles over the first two innings before retiring 10 consecutive batters. He surrendered a bunt single in the sixth but completed 6.0 shutout innings on three hits, walking none and striking out two. The Angels' No. 22 prospect also induced seven groundouts in the quality start.

Rocket City broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Meckler drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a Gustavo Campero double. Raudi Rodriguez followed with a single, Flint worked a walk, and Lugo delivered again with a two-run single to make it 5-0. The sixth run scored on a missed catch error by Smokies second baseman Karson Simas while attempting to turn a double play, allowing Flint to cross the plate for a 6-0 advantage.

Hurtado handed the ball to Garcia, who worked 2.0 scoreless innings on one hit with no walks and three strikeouts. Yovan closed it out with a six-pitch ninth inning, recording a strikeout to secure the shutout—the first for Rocket City since a 1-0 win over Knoxville on September 2, 2025, in Tennessee.

Lugo finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Flint went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, and a walk. Flint has now recorded an extra-base hit in three straight games and is tied for the league lead with seven doubles. Rodriguez extended his on-base streak to 13 games and has scored a run in seven consecutive contests.

Knoxville starter Yenrri Rojas (L, 1-1) took the loss. With the win, the Trash Pandas have now scored four or more runs in 20 of their first 22 games and lead the Southern League with 138 runs scored—the second-highest total through 22 games in the league since 2005.

The Trash Pandas and Smokies will play a doubleheader on Thursday at Toyota Field with a 4:05 pm first pitch of game one. The Trash Pandas will send out RHP Jose Gonzalez (0-1, 5.66) in the first game, opposite RHP Grant Kipp (1-1, 2.45) for the Smokies. In the nightcap, Rocket City will start RHP Eybersson Polanco (1-1, 4.50) against a to be determined starter for Knoxville. The game can be seen on WAAY-TV Ch. 31.6, Bally Sports Live, MiLB.tv, and heard on Talk Radio WZZN 97.7 FM HD-2, and ESPN The Zone 97.7 FM.

Thursday's Promotions: (All Gates Open at 3:00 pm)

• Home Plate Doormat Giveaway: The first 1,000 fans will get a Trash Pandas Home Plate Doormat thanks to Hughes Properties
• Throwback Thursday: The revamped Thursdays at Toyota Field in 2026 now include live music. DJ Rafi will be at the Rock Porch in right field from 5:00 pm to 6:30. On the field, the Pandas rock the retro pinstriped jerseys.
• $3 Domestic Draft Beer: Each Thursday this season also includes $3 domestic drafts (Bud Light and Coors Light in the Bullpen Bar, and Budweiser and Yuengling in the Rock Porch).

Tickets are available starting at just $8 for general admission and $16 for field-level seats. They can be purchased online HERE. Fans can book a group outing for the 2026 season by visiting trashpandasgroups.com or by calling the group sales department directly at (256) 325-1403 option 2.. A complete promotional schedule for the season can be found HERE.

Fans are reminded that Toyota Field follows MiLB's clear bag policy. Guests are allowed one clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. Small, clear clutches are also permitted. Exceptions will be made for medical needs and parents with infants (diaper bags). Learn more about this policy here.

ABOUT THE ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS

Owned and operated by BallCorps, LLC, the Rocket City Trash Pandas are the proud Double-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels in the Southern League. The Trash Pandas play at state-of-the-art TOYOTA Field in Madison, Alabama. The organization's mission is to unite our communities by creating positive and lasting memories one experience at a time.