Trash Pandas Slug Four Home Runs in Win Over Smokies

MADISON, AL - The Rocket City Trash Pandas (34-34) hit four solo home runs in their 5-3 win over the Tennessee Smokies (28-38) Friday night at Toyota Field. The Trash Pandas have won three of the first four games in the series.

Nelson Maldonado got the scoring started with a solo home run off of RHP Cristopher Molina (W, 1-0) in the top of the first. Rocket City took a 2-1 lead after Mitch Nay and Izzy Wilson hit back-to-back solo home runs off LHP Luis Lugo (L, 3-4) to open up the second inning. Lugo hadn’t allowed an earned run in 24.1 consecutive innings until the home runs.

Rocket City extended their lead after scoring twice in the fourth inning. Ibandel Isabel hit a one-out, solo home run to put the Trash Pandas up 3-1. Torii Hunter Jr. then singled, stole second, and scored on Michael Cruz’s RBI single.

Zach Davis led off the fifth with a bunt single, stole second, then scored on Brennen Davis’ two-out RBI double to cut the deficit to 4-2. Isabel’s second home run of the night, a solo shot in the sixth, put Rocket City back in front by three. Zach Davis drew a walk to lead off the seventh and came around to score the Smokies third run on Maldonado’s RBI groundout.

The Smokies had the tying runs on base in the eighth but could not score. Carlos Sepulveda walked with one out and Tyler Payne singled with two outs before Zach Davis struck out looking to end the inning. The Smokies also brought the tying run to the plate with one out in the ninth, but a strikeout and fly out ended the game.

RHP Garrett Kelly retired all four hitters he faced and RHP Cayne Ueckert pitched a perfect eighth in the loss. Maldonado finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, his home run in the first inning was his fifth of the season. Zach Davis reached base three times and scored two of the three Smokies runs.

The Smokies and Trash Pandas continue their series at Toyota Field on Saturday night. First pitch between RHP Dakota Chalmers (0-1, 4.67) and RHP Davis Daniel (0-0, 7.36) is scheduled for 7:35 PM ET. Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.

The Smokies return home on Tuesday July 27 to begin a six game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts. Tickets 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.