Guzman, Rada and Relievers lead Pandas back to 6-4 win

July 20, 2024 – Southern League (SL)
Rocket City Trash Pandas News Item

KODAK, TENNESSEE — Shortstop Denzer Guzman hit a three-run home run, center fielder Nelson Rada had three hits and Rocket City got four shutout innings from its relief corps as it swept Tennessee 6-4 in the first game of a massive three-game series Friday night at Smokies Stadium. With the win, the Trash Pandas moved into a tie with the Smokies for first place in the bottom half of the Southern League’s North Division standings.

The Smokies struck first in the first inning when a single by second baseman James Triantos preceded a two-run homerun by shortstop Matt Shaw, giving Tennessee an early 2-0 lead.

Rocket City responded in the third inning with back-to-back doubles by second baseman Mac McCroskey and center fielder Nelson Rada respectively to put the Trash Pandas on the board. After a groundout moved Rada to third, he would score on a sacrifice fly to left by designated hitter Orlando Martinez to tie the game.

Tennessee would regain the lead with two more in the bottom of the third. Shaw singled in his third run of the game. Later, Triantos raced home on a fielder’s choice to give the Smokies a 4-2 lead.

The Trash Pandas took the lead for good in the fourth, however. A one-out double by catcher Tyler Payne and a walk by first baseman Sam Brown set the stage for Guzman to hit his fifth dinger of the year to give Rocket City a 5-4 lead. Rocket City would then get a much-needed insurance run in the eighth inning when McCroskey was walked, stole second, went to third on a baulk, and then scored on a single by Rada to give Nelson his second RBI of the game.

That was enough for the Trash Pandas’ pitching staff. Starter Caden Dana (W, 6-6) got the win after allowing four runs on five hits, striking out eight and walking none. Relievers John O’Reilly, Michael Darrell-Hicks and Camden Minacci combined to throw four innings of shutout ball on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts to earn the win. Minacci (S, 4) struck out three in the ninth for the save.

The loss went to Tennessee starting pitcher Alex Troop (V, 1-3) after he allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings.

The bottom third of the Rocket City order (Guzman, McCroskey and Rada) went a combined 6-11 with a home run, five RBI, three doubles, four runs scored and a stolen base. Rada finished 3-4 with a double, two singles, two RBI and a run scored to lead the Trash Pandas’ offense. Meanwhile, McCroskey went 2-3 with two doubles, two runs and a stolen base. Third baseman Eric Wagaman chipped in the win on a 2-3 effort with a double.

Shaw went 3-4 and finished a triple shy of the cycle with three RBI to lead Tennessee. Triantos was 2-4 with two singles and two runs. Catcher Casey Opitz also had two singles for the Smokies.

The Trash Pandas and Smokies face off Saturday night in game two of their three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Josh Caray will be calling the game on WZZN 97.7-HD2.

Probable Starters: Victor Mederos 4-6, 6.16 ERA (RCT) vs. Matthew Thompson 2-4, 4.86 ERA (TNS)

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