The Los Angeles Angels had an eventful first week to the 2023 season, and the same applied to their Double-A affiliate Rocket City Trash Pandas.
After suffering a 6-3 loss in their Opening Day matchup against the Chattanooga Lookouts on April 6, the Trash Pandas’ following game was postponed due to rain. The contest was ultimately made up on April 8, which only consisted of seven innings because of the cancellation.
The Trash Pandas came within three outs of adding their name to the record books as they carried a 3-0 lead into the top of the seventh. Coleman Crow tossed six strong innings and was replaced by Ben Joyce, who looked to finish the combined no-hitter.
Unfortunately for Joyce, he didn’t have his best stuff as he walked three of the first four batters of the inning. With two outs, he issued a fourth walk that forced in the Lookouts’ first run of the game.
The next batter, Jose Torres, then reached second base on a costly error by Jeremiah Jackson that cleared the bases and allowed Chattanooga to take a 4-3 lead. Eric Torres replaced Joyce and promptly hit the first three batters he faced that extended the Lookouts’ lead to 5-3.
Torres then issued a walk with the bases loaded, threw a wild pitch and hit another batter before getting the final out of the inning. The Trash Pandas were able to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback as they fell 7-5.
Still, the Trash Pandas completed the no-hitter despite the 7-5 loss.
Jo Adell makes case for Angels promotion with home run in six consecutive games
Former Angels top prospect Jo Adell was not included on the team’s Opening Day roster, but he has made his case for a quick promotion after homering in six consecutive games.
Adell began his incredible streak with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on April 4 against the Albuquerque Isotopes. He hit one home run in five straight games against the team before homering twice in the most recent matchup on April 9.
Jo Adell with a HR in his 5th straight game: pic.twitter.com/a4u9kAtsIw
— Angels MiLB (@AngelsMiLB) April 9, 2023
During the six-game stretch, Adell went 9-for-26 (.346) with two doubles, six home runs, 12 RBI and four walks across 30 plate appearances.
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