The Smokies pulled off an impressive rally, while the Pelicans’ bats went quiet.
The Iowa Cubs didn’t play due to rain and will make it up with a doubleheader tomorrow.
The Knoxville Smokies edged the Rocket City Trash Pandas 8-7 in a dramatic comeback. Starter Luis Martinez-Gomez struggled early, giving up five runs over four innings. However, the bullpen, highlighted by Vince Reilly’s hitless and scoreless final two innings, kept the game within reach.
Trailing 7-0 midway through the game, Knoxville erupted late—scoring three runs in the sixth and five more in the eighth. Devin Ortiz led the charge with a three-run double and later added an RBI single, finishing with four RBIs. Jefferson Rojas delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer in the eighth to put the Smokies ahead. Jordan Nwogu also contributed with two hits, including a triple.
The South Bend Cubs fell 5-3 to the Peoria Chiefs. Kevin Valdez impressed in his season debut with 3.2 shutout innings, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the line. Ethan Flanagan allowed three runs, including two homers, in relief.
Offensively, Owen Ayers stood out with his first home run for South Bend and reached base three times. Drew Bowser added a game-tying solo shot in the seventh, while Reginald Preciado collected three hits and drove in a run.
Meanwhile, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans were shut out 1-0 by the Columbia Fireflies in a game dominated by pitching. Dominick Reid was excellent, tossing five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. However, a defensive miscue in the sixth led to the game’s only run. The Pelicans managed just one hit, a single by Jose Escobar, in a quiet offensive performance.
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