MADISON, Ala. — The Rocket City Trash Pandas closed the week on the right foot, securing a 6-1 victory over the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday. The bottom of the Rocket City, including catcher Tyler Payne and infielders Mac McCroskey and Arol Vera, combined to go 6-12 with a double and two RBI.
The Trash Pandas found the scoreboard in the second as Vera singled home the game's first run off Smokies starting pitcher Connor Noland (L, 1-1).
Outfielder Nelson Rada added two more runs in the fourth with a single of his own. The next batter drove in two more when infielder Cole Fontenelle blasted a two-run homer. It was his first at Toyota Field in his career.
Trash Pandas starting pitcher Chase Chaney (W, 2-1) was solid in his second start of the series, tossing five shutout innings while allowing just three hits and striking out five.
Vera delivered again in the sixth as his second hit of the day drove in another run to extend the Trash Pandas lead to six.
Tennessee rallied to get on the board in the ninth as outfielder Christian Franklin singled in the Smokies’ first run.
Rocket City pitcher Hayden Seig locked the Smokies down from there, stranding the bases loaded to give the Trash Pandas a series split in a 6-1 victory.
The Trash Pandas will hit the road to begin a huge six-game series against the first place Birmingham Barons on Tuesday with first pitch slated for 6:00 p.m.