Trash Pandas Bullpen Struggles In 10-1 Loss

Despite a stellar outing from starter Ky Bush, the Rocket City Trash Pandas suffered a 10-1 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts in the third game of their six-game series on Friday night at AT&T Field.

Chattanooga took advantage of a pair of Trash Pandas mistakes to open the scoring in the third. Quincy McAfee appeared to be picked off between first and second, but the throw from Trash Pandas first baseman Ryan Aguilar was array into left field, allowing McAfee to reach third. He would score the game’s first run on a second Rocket City error, this time from Preston Palmeiro at third base.

The Trash Pandas got the run back in the fourth when Aaron Whitefield led off with a triple and came home to score on an RBI ground out from Ryan Aguilar. That would be all the Rocket City offense could produce for a while, as the Chattanooga pitching staff retired nine hitters in a row from the fifth to seventh.

Rocket City got a fortunate bounce to end the sixth. With one on and one out, Mike Siani was running on the pitch from Bush. Matt McLain hit a ground ball up the middle, right to Trash Pandas second baseman Jose Gomez who was waiting to field it, step on second, and throw to first for the double play. Bush ended his start by getting Isiah Gilliam to ground out.

Over six innings, Bush allowed one unearned run two hits with one walk and six strikeouts in a masterful performance. The quality start is Bush’s third in a row. Over his nine starts for the Trash Pandas. For the season, Bush has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his nine Double-A starts.

In the seventh, the game unraveled for Rocket City reliever Zach Linginfelter. A hit-by-pitch, single, and walk loaded the bases with one out. Linginfelter (L, 1-1) got the second out on a fielder’s choice at the plate. However, he hit Jacob Hurtubise with a pitch to put Chattanooga ahead and Mike Siani singled to center to score two more for a 4-1 Lookouts lead after seven.

The Trash Pandas loaded the bases in a bid to get back into it in the eight. Lookouts reliever Ryan Nutof escaped the jam by getting Orlando Martinez to ground into a double play, holding the 4-1 advantage.

Chattanooga put the game out of reach for good in the bottom of the eighth on a grand slam from Francisco Urbaez off Nick Jones and a two-run homer from Siani off Cristopher Molina to make it a 10-1 game.

Whitefield’s triple was the only hit for the Trash Pandas over the first eight innings. The loss, coupled with Tennessee’s win over Birmingham, puts the Trash Pandas half a game ahead of the Smokies in the North Division standings.

The Trash Pandas (28-20) and Lookouts (26-22) resume their series with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. First pitch of Game 1 at AT&T Field is set for 4:15 p.m. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio.