In a low scoring battle, the Rocket City Trash Pandas failed to muster any offensive momentum as they fell 1-0 in the series opener against
the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola designated hitter Zach Zubia hit a solo home run in the third to get the home team on the board after a fast-paced first two innings.
The Trash Pandas were held without a hit until the sixth inning and managed to load the bases with one out but couldn’t bring across the tying run thanks
to six shutout innings from Pensacola starting pitcher Jonathan Bermudez (W, 1-1), who allowed just two hits in his six shutout frames.
In just his second Double-A start, Trash Pandas pitcher Caden Dana (L, 0-1) was on his game following the early home run. Dana matched his season-high with
6.2 innings pitched while allowing just three hits and striking out four.
Dana had a chance to break that career-high, but a full-count walk prompted a bullpen change where Nick Jones would escape a jam where the Blue Wahoos had
two runners on.
Rocket City outfielder Tucker Flint saved a run from scoring on the defensive side with a laser from right field to throw out infielder Harrison Spohn in
the eighth to give the Trash Pandas a chance in the final frame.
It wasn’t meant to be for Rocket City however as Austin Roberts (S, 3) slammed the door in the ninth to complete a 1-0 Pensacola victory.
The Trash Pandas and Blue Wahoos will do it all over again at 6:05 p.m. on Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Josh Caray will have the call on WZZN 97.7-HD2.
