MADISON -– It was one for the record books Tuesday night for the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
However, it was not a good one.
The Trash Pandas fell 3-1 to the Knoxville Smokies for their their 16th consecutive loss.
With the defeat, Rocket City (0-7, 24-51) set a modern-day Southern League record, breaking the previous record of 15 straight losses held by the 1971 Columbus (Ga.) Astros.
It was the first game of a split six-game series: the Smokies (4-3, 36-39) are in town tonight and Thursday and the Trash Pandas visit Knoxville for the weekend.
Pitcher Mitch Farris (L, 0-5) made his 13th start of the year, struggling early, but ultimately had a solid outing. Farris navigated around three Knoxville hits in the first two innings, but walked three batters, which led to the Smokies’ first run. Corey Joyce drew the initial walk and scored on a single by Jordan Nwogu. Farris recorded his third strikeout and stranded the bases loaded despite needing 37 pitches, with Knoxville leaving six runners on base during the first three innings.
Rocket City was held hitless by Knoxville starter Antonio Santos (W, 2-2), until the fourth inning on a two-out triple by Denzer Guzman, who was left stranded on third.
In the fifth, David Mershon reached base with a bunt single down the third-base line and then scored on a double from Ben Gobbel, tying the game at 1-1.
Farris pitched into the sixth inning, coming one out short of a quality start. After two groundouts to begin the inning, Felix Stevens singled and then scored on Jaylen Palmer’s double for a 2-1 Knoxville lead.
Sam Ryan then took over for Farris, and Corey Joyce hit an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-1. Farris finished with a line of 5.2 innings pitched, allowing three runs on seven hits, with three walks and four strikeouts.
Ryan inherited one run but did not allow any of his own in 1.1 innings, giving up two hits with no walks and striking out three. Kelvin Caceras and Camden Minacci kept Knoxville off the scoreboard in the eighth and ninth innings.
In the bottom of the ninth, AJ Puckett, the league’s leader in saves and fresh off a 10-game suspension, took the mound for Knoxville. He walked Travis Blankenhorn and hit Guzman with a pitch, placing the go-ahead run at the plate. However, Puckett bounced back with a strikeout and induced a game-ending double play.
The Trash Pandas continue their homestand tonight with game two of three at Toyota Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with left-handed pitcher Sam Aldegheri (2-6, 5.27) starting for the Trash Pandas against right-hander Nick Dean (1-2, 4.18) for Knoxville.
It’s Tito’s Dog Days at Toyota Field. Fans can bring their dogs to the game and watch in Sections 1 and 2 or on the grass berm. Tickets are not required for the dogs but a $1 donation per dog is required upon entry. All donations will benefit a local non-profit animal organization.
All dogs are required to enter through the Pepsi Gate with a completed waiver and must remain on a leash throughout the game. Plus, all dogs will receive a free Pup Cup, which can be redeemed at Sweet Space.
The homestand wraps up Thursday with a post-game Independence Day Eve Fireworks Extravaganza presented by SAIC.
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