Trash Pandas' Kohanowicz Tosses Complete Game Gem 

Rocket City Trash Pandas starter Jack Kochanowicz dominated from start to finish, needing just 88 pitches to throw a complete game, shutting down the Birmingham Barons for a 5-1 win to the delight of 5,562 at Toyota Field on Saturday night.

In his first career complete game, Kochanowicz pitched efficiently to come within one out of a shutout, allowing just the one run on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts in the third nine-inning complete game in Trash Pandas history.

The game began as a pitcher’s duel, with Kochanowicz and Birmingham starter Garrett Schoenle (L, 1-5) trading scoreless frames.

Both teams recorded hits in the first inning, but neither was able to push a runner home. After allowing a first-inning single, Kochanowicz was efficient and dominant. He retired 13 straight hitters between the first and fifth, shutting the Barons down one two, three for the next four innings.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Trash Pandas were able to know Schoenle out of the game, Kevin Maitan got the inning started with a single. Two hitters later, Kyren Paris laced a single of his own to put two out and one on. That would be the last of Schoenle’s 92 pitches. Against reliever Ben Holmes, Orlando Martinez grounded a single to right to score Maitan. Birmingham right fielder Tyler Neslony’s throw was wide, allowing Paris to come all the way around and score as well, with Martinez advancing to third. Edgar Quero followed with an RBI single to center, giving the Trash Pandas a 3-0 lead.

In the sixth, Ben Norman led off with the Barons’ second hit, a single to left. But it was quickly erased on a double play ground out from Moises Castillo. The Barons got another hit with two outs to extend the inning. Kochanowicz ended it with a ground out from Tyler Neslony.

Maitan kept the bottom of the inning going with a two-out double into the right field corner. Aaron Whitefield followed with a towering two-run home run 400 feet into the Trash Pandas’ bullpen in right, his second homer of the season, to make it 5-0.

Kochanowicz struck out a pair to work around a one-out walk in the eighth. He quickly got the first two outs in the ninth. But with the Barons down to their last strike, Yoelqui Cespedes hit a solo homer to center, spoiling the shutout. Kochanowicz (W, 2-0) finished the victory by getting a broken-bat ground out from Luis Mieses. Offensively, Maitan went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Quero added two hits, and Whitefied’s home run drove in two as the victory moves Rocket City back to .500 at 19-19.

The Trash Pandas (19-19) wrap up their series with the Barons (13-25) on Sunday afternoon. First pitch at Toyota Field is scheduled for 2:35 p.m. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio. The game will be broadcast locally on WAAY 31.6, This TV.

At Sunday’s game, 1,000 children ages 17 and under will receive a limited-edition Sprocket Bank upon arrival, presented by Crestwood. Kids are also invited to run the bases after the game. As part of Miller May, fans are welcome to stay on the Inline Electric Rock Porch for an hour after the game for Miller Post-Game Happy Hour, presented by Corona.