Trash Pandas Win Finale In Biloxi 6-4 

The Rocket City Trash Pandas built a lead early and maintained it for the rest of the day behind their newest starter and clutch relief pitching to defeat the Biloxi Shuckers 6-4 in the finale of their six-game series at MGM Park on Sunday afternoon.

The win gives the Trash Pandas their first consecutive victories in the month of May and improves their road record to 11-7 through the first three road series of the 2023 season.

For the second straight game, the Trash Pandas opened the scoring. Leading off the first, Orlando Martinez began the game with a single to center and immediately stole second base. Kyren Paris followed with a towering two-run home run down the left field line, his Southern League-leading ninth home run of the season and a 2-0 Trash Pandas lead.

Making his Double-A debut on the mound for the Trash Pandas, righty Jack Kochanowicz was unable to hold the lead in the first. Biloxi quickly got even on an RBI double from Jackson Chourio and an RBI ground out from Felix Valerio.

Two innings later, the Trash Pandas restored the lead. Back-to-back walks to Martinez and Paris put two on with nobody out. Edgar Quero then hit a ground ball to first that could have been a double play, but the return throw to first from Shuckers shortstop Freddy Zamora was wide, allowing Martinez to come home for a 3-2 Trash Pandas lead.

Following the difficult first, Kochanowicz settled down for the rest of his start. He retired the side in order in both the second and third, worked around a leadoff walk in the fourth, and got an inning ending double play to hold the lead through five. Over five innings, Kochanowicz (W, 1-0) allowed two runs on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts to earn the victory.

Eric Torres was first out of the Rocket City bullpen and held the lead with a scoreless sixth. Rocket City added key insurance in the seventh. Walks to Ryan Aguilar and David Calabrese started the inning. Kevin Maitan then grounded a single through the right side of the infield, scoring Aguilar from second to make it 4-2. Jose Gomez followed with an RBI single of his own to center for a 5-2 lead. Another walk to Martinez loaded the bases. Paris was then hit by a pitch, bringing in pinch-runner Bryce Teodosio for a 6-2 Trash Pandas lead.

Luke Murphy was next into the game for the Trash Pandas but was unable to record an out. A walk and three single plated two runs to make it 6-4 with nobody out and two runners on. Ben Joyce was called into the game and hit Joe Gray Jr. to load the bases with nobody out. Joyce incredibly escaped without further damage by striking out Noah Campbell and inducing an inning-ending double play from Chourio to keep Rocket City up 6-4.

Zac Kristofak quickly retired the Shuckers in order in the eighth with a ground out, a strike out, and a fly out. In the ninth, Kenyon Yovan (S, 3) set the Shuckers down one, two, three to earn his second save in as many games and finish the win.

Offensively, Paris led the way for Rocket City by going 2-for-3 with the home run, three RBI, and a walk while Martinez went 1-for-2 with three walks and two runs scored from the leadoff spot in the order.

The Trash Pandas (16-17) return home to begin a six-game series with the Birmingham Barons 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.

At Tuesday’s game, 1,500 adults ages 18 and up will receive a Bryce Teodosio Inside The Park Home Run Bobblehead, commemorating the most iconic home run in Trash Pandas history, presented by SportsMED. Tuesday is also Ladies Night, presented by Reeds Jewelers, where fans will have the opportunity to win great prizes and enjoy $5 wine specials throughout the night.