Knoxville Smokies force five pitching changes, stomp Trash Pandas 14-6
Knoxville had three home runs in what was Seiya Suzuki's second-to-last game with the Smokies before the MLB outfielder returns to the Chicago Cubs.
The Knoxville Smokies bounced back from a shaky opening series at Covenant Health Park with a decisive victory April 7 in the first of six home games against the Rocket City Trash Pandas. The 14-6 win was a stark contrast to the previous series against the Birmingham Barons, which the Smokies dropped 1-2 − despite some extra help from Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki. Suzuki returned Tuesday night for his second series in Knoxville, and the Smokies started strong, earning a modest 2-1 lead over the Trash Pandas in the first inning.
But the hole got far deeper for Rocket City in the second when the Smokies added eight runs. Knoxville outscored Rocket City 14-4 through the first four innings, and the Trash Pandas would score just twice more. The Smokies, capitalizing on a struggling Trash Pandas defense, forced Rocket City to use six pitchers in the game.
Knoxville infielders Edgar Alvarez, Karson Simas and Jefferson Rojas all connected for home runs in the game, while Suzuki had three hits and scored three runs in what was his second-to-last appearance for the Smokies. The Cubs outfielder is scheduled to play one more Double-A game for the Smokies at 12:30 p. m.
April 8 − a rare Wednesday afternoon start time at Covenant Health Park. Knoxville has one more 12:30 p. m.