Pandas Fall Short in Pitchers Duel

BILOXI, MS – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (46-51, 13-16) couldn’t shut down the Biloxi Shuckers (49-48, 19-11) in extra innings, falling 3-1 on Thursday night.

Starting pitchers Caden Dana of Rocket City and Brett Wichrowski of Biloxi didn’t allow a run in their respective starts. Dana tossed his MiLB leading 11th quality start with seven strikeouts in as many innings while Wichrowski matched his career high with six-shutout frames of his own.

Strong pitching would carry through the ninth as neither team found the scoreboard until Trash Pandas infielder Chad Stevens drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the tenth against Shuckers reliever Sam Gardner (W, 1-2). The RBI was Stevens’ first as a member of the Trash Pandas.

Biloxi tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a double down the right field line from catcher Nick Kahle against Trash Pandas closer Camden Minacci (L, 0-2). One batter later, infielder Casey Martin launched a two-run homer to give the Shuckers the 3-1 walk-off win.

The Trash Pandas will look to even up the series against Biloxi on Friday. First pitch is set for 6:35 CT. Josh Caray will have the call on Talk Radio WZZN 97.7-2 FM HD-2, WAAY 31.6 The Grio and streaming on MiLB.TV, the MLB App, and Bally Live!

Probable Starters: Jack Kochanowicz (RCT) vs. Logan Henderson (BLX)