KODAK, Tenn. — The Trash Pandas took advantage of a fast start offensively to avoid a series sweep, securing a 5-2 victory over the Tennessee Smokies.
For the first time this season the Trash Pandas scored first as after two stolen bases from Nelson Rada in the top of the first, Sam Brown drove him in on a single for his first professional RBI.
Eric Wagaman later in the inning as his first hit with the Trash Pandas was a double which found the gap to score two more making it a rough welcome for Smokies starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (L, 0-1), who joined the team on a rehab start.
The Smokies responded in the bottom half of the inning with Matt Shaw recording a run-scoring single. Shaw would later come around to score as a double steal resulted in a Caleb Hamilton throwing error which brought the lead runner home.
Cole Fontenelle got one of those runs back in the second as the Angels No. 30 prospect singled to drive in Kyren Paris making it 4-2 Rocket City.
That score could’ve been worse for the Smokies, but Tennessee left fielder Ezequiel Pagan threw out Fontenelle at home, who was trying to score on a Brown single, later in the inning.
Fontenelle got his revenge in the fifth as after he reached with his second hit of the day, the infielder stole both second and third base. Scoring on a wild throw, Fontenelle extended the Trash Pandas lead to three as he matched his career-high with three stolen bases in the game.
Trash Pandas starting pitcher Alan Rangel looked strong in his Rocket City debut but exited the game after allowing a pair of hits in the fifth and fell one out short of qualifying for a potential victory.
Ben Joyce (W, 1-0) entered the game and cleaned things up as he struck out Matt Shaw on three fastballs.
Joyce would begin the sixth inning on the mound and found himself in some trouble of his own before Michael Darrell-Hicks struck out Luis Verdugo with the bases loaded.
Rocket City wouldn’t find itself in much trouble the rest of the way as Mason Erla (S, 1) recorded his first professional save to secure the Trash Pandas first win of the season.
The Trash Pandas (1-2, 1-2 first half) will return home to begin a six-game series with the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday. First pitch at Toyota Field is set for 6:35 p.m. CT.