Trash Pandas Top Smokies 6-3, Win Fifth Straight

Behind a strong start from the newest member of the rotation and a pair of timely home runs, the Rocket City Trash Pandas defeated the Tennessee Smokies 6-3 to earn their fifth straight win on Friday night in the fourth game of their series at Smokies Stadium.

In the top of the second, the Trash Pandas took the lead behind one powerful swing from their hottest hitter. After a single from David MacKinnon and a walk to Ibandel Isabel, Izzy Wilson crushed the 0-1 pitch from Tennessee starter Cam Sanders over the wall in left for an opposite field three-run homer for the first runs of the day. The home run is Wilson’s Double-A South leading 10th of the season.

Making his Double-A debut on the mound for Rocket City, starter Aaron Hernandez was able to hold the lead for the duration of his outing. In the second, he struck out the side in order to keep the lead at three.

Tennessee made it a one-run game against Hernandez in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run double from Nelson Maldonado. But that would be all the Smokies could produce off Hernandez (W, 1-0). In 5.0 strong innings, he gave up two earned runs on two hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.

Rocket City added a run in the top of the sixth as Mitch Nay came home to score on a throwing error by Tennessee shortstop Christopher Morel, doubling the Trash Pandas advantage to 4-2.

From there, reliever Jhonathan Diaz worked around base runners in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to keep Rocket City in front. Over 3.0 scoreless innings, the lefty gave up two hits and two walks while striking out five to earn a hold.

Again, the Trash Pandas doubled the lead in the ninth. MacKinnon reached with a two-out single to center. Isabel then smashed a two-run homer to left, his fifth of the season, to make it 6-2 Rocket City.

Connor Higgins gave up a run in the ninth but rebounded to finish the win for Hernandez and the Trash Pandas as Rocket City defeated Tennessee for the ninth straight time.

At the plate, Wilson’s three-run homer led the way in a 2-for-3 performance and MacKinnon was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs in the victory while Hernandez and Diaz combined for 13 strikeouts on the mound.

The Trash Pandas (17-16) continue their series with the Smokies (10-22) on Saturday night. First pitch at Smokies Stadium is set for 6 p.m. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio.