Trash Pandas Drop Finale In Biloxi 7-5

BILOXI, Mississippi – In a back-and-forth game late, the Rocket City Trash Pandas couldn’t contain the Biloxi Shuckers offense, falling 7-5 in the finale of their six-game series at MGM Park on Sunday night.

The win gives the Shuckers a split of the six-game series after defeating the Trash Pandas in the final two games.

Corey Ray opened the scoring for the Shuckers with a long home run on Chase Silseth’s third pitch of the game, beginning the bottom of the first with a bang for the home team. Silseth kept the deficit at one until the fourth, with some help from his defense as Logan O’Hoppe made a terrific throw to catch Yeison Coca stealing in the third. In the fourth, Tristen Lutz’s RBI single doubled the Shuckers lead to 2-0.

In the sixth, Rocket City turned the game around in a hurry against Biloxi starter Nick Bennett. Playing in his home state of Mississippi, Trash Pandas center fielder Jordyn Adams led off the frame with a solo home run to left-center to get the Trash Pandas on the board, his fourth Double-A homer. Zach Neto followed with his first Double-A home run, a long fly ball that just cleared the wall in left to tie the score 2-2. O’Hoppe continued the onslaught with a monstrous home run 443 feet over the wall in left with an exit velocity of 110 miles per hour, giving the Trash Padas back-to-back-to-back home runs and a 3-2 lead.

Biloxi took the lead right back in the bottom of the sixth, with Garrett Whitley’s double into the left field corner scoring a pair to make it 4-3 off Silseth. The Rocket City righty escaped further damage to end his outing. Over six innings, Silseth allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

With two outs in the seventh, the Trash Pandas responded. Adams reached with a single up the middle and promptly stole second for his ninth Double-A steal. Neto then laced a single to left, allowing Adams to come home with the tying run.

In the bottom of the inning, the Shuckers again took the lead, this time against reliever Sean McLaughlin (L, 2-4). With the bases loaded, Andruw Monasterio’s fielder’s choice plated Coca with the go-ahead run. Lutz plated two more later in the frame with a double into the left field corner, giving the Shuckers a 7-4 lead.

Former Biloxi outfielder Ryan Aguilar got the Trash Pandas a little closer in the eighth with a home run off the foul pole in right, a solo shot to tie for the team-lead with his 13th of the season, cutting the deficit to 7-5. Jack Dashwood maintained the deficit with a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

Rocket City would get no closer. Neto kept the ninth inning alive with a single against Biloxi reliever Noah Walters (S, 1). As the tying run, O’Hoppe hit Walters’ first offering deep to left field. But it fell just short of a game tying home run, being caught on the warning track by Terence Dotson to end the game in favor of the Shuckers.

From the leadoff spot in the lineup, Neto led the way by going 3-for-5 with the home run, two RBI, and a stolen base. O’Hoppe, Adams, and Sonny DiChiara each added two hits in the loss.

The Trash Pandas (61-47, 20-19 second half) return home to begin a six-game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts (47-61, 13-26 second half) on Tuesday night. First pitch at Toyota Field is scheduled 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.

Tuesday night is Country Night at Toyota Field, where 2,000 adults ages 18 and older will receive a limited-edition Trash Pandas cowboy hat, presented by Cavender’s. Tuesday will also feature the Trash Pandas Community Clubhouse Sale, with fans having an exclusive opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind game worn and autographed memorabilia, including jerseys, baseballs, and more, with proceeds benefitting the Rocket City Trash Pandas Foundation. Every Tuesday is Ladies Night, where women will have the opportunity to win great prizes and all fans can enjoy $1 off canned wine, presented by Reeds Jewelers.