Cole Fontenelle hits for the first cycle in Trash Pandas history in 4-3 win
MADISON, Ala. – Cole Fontenelle hit for the first cycle in Rocket City Trash Pandas history in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field. The 23-year-old from Sammamish, WA, entered his at-bat in the bottom of the eighth needing a double for the cycle, and on
MADISON, Ala. – Cole Fontenelle hit for the first cycle in Rocket City Trash Pandas history in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field.
The 23-year-old from Sammamish, WA, entered his at-bat in the bottom of the eighth needing a double for the cycle, and on a 1-2 pitch, he drove an AJ Puckett pitch into the left-center gap to finish the feat. The cycle was also the first of his career.
After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, Rocket City (2-1) took the lead for the first time in the second on a Fontenelle solo home run. Later in the inning, with two outs, Myles Emmerson added a two-run home run, his second of the year, to put the Trash Pandas up 3-2. Emmerson became the first Southern League player with two home runs in 2025 and is tied for the league lead with three extra-base hits
The ball flew on a cool evening in Madison, with Knoxville (1-2) catcher Pablo Alliendo tying the game with a solo home run to right field. Jared Southard, Camden Minacci, Jose Fermin (W, 1-0), and Brady Choban (S, 1) combined for 5.0 shutout innings to finish the game, striking out six and walking none. Over the first three games, the Trash Pandas bullpen has allowed four runs over 17.1 innings.
Fontenelle’s leadoff double in the eighth set up a Sam Brown RBI single up the middle to push the Trash Pandas back on top for good, 4-3. Fontenelle missed most of last season after breaking his fibula on May 7. The young third baseman had been off to a hot start, including four straight games with an extra-base hit, April 27 to May 1.
Brown was 2-for-3 with an RBI, run, and walk, and Nelson Rada finished 2-for-4 in the ten-hit night for Rocket City. The second straight win marked another comeback victory after erasing a 6-0 deficit in Saturday’s 8-6 win over Chattanooga. The first inning continues to be a struggle for Rocket City pitchers, having given up eight runs in the first frame over the first three games.
The Trash Pandas and Smokies will have a quick turnaround with game two of the six-game series on Wednesday morning at Toyota Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:05 am, with RHP Joel Hurtado (0-0, --) getting his first start of the season against Knoxville RHP Grant Kipp (0-0, --). Wednesday is the first of three Education Day games with students from around the region on hand. All gates will open at 9:30 am.
Tickets are available starting at just $8 for general admission and $16 for field-level seats. They can be purchased online at tptix.com. Fans can also purchase tickets in person during regular business hours at the Wicks Family Foundation Box Office or by calling 256-325-1403, option 1. Fans can book their group outings for the 2025 season by visiting trashpandasgroups.com or by calling the group sales department directly at (256) 325-1403, option 2. 20-game mini-plans are also available at tptix.com.
Toyota Field welcomes summer with a variety of events for fans of all ages
MADISON, Ala. – Toyota Field is thrilled to welcome summer with a variety of events for fans of all ages. Kicking off today at 4:00 pm, the Trash Pandas will host The Big Ol' Ballpark Fair and Yoga in the Outfield. Other upcoming events include the rescheduled Rocket City Spring
Big Ol' Ballpark Fair returns to Toyota Field, May 15-25
MADISON, Alabama – The Rocket City Trash Pandas have partnered with Kissel Entertainment for the sixth annual Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair in the Toyota Field parking lot from Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, May 25. The Fair will be closed on Monday, May 19. Similar to previous years, the Big
Trash Pandas Unveil Two New Alternate Identities: The Bama Butts and Alabama White Sauce
MADISON, Ala. – Barbecue in Alabama isn't just food—it's part of our identity. The Rocket City Trash Pandas are thrilled to announce two new alternate identities for 2025, the Bama Butts and Alabama White Sauce! The identities will be unleashed and the team will wear these specialty uniforms during a
Lookouts blank Trash Pandas 3-0 on Wednesday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On Wednesday, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (12-27) were shut out for the second time this season, losing 3-0 to the Chattanooga Lookouts (20-20) at AT&T Field. This defeat marks the Trash Pandas' fourth consecutive loss, with the Lookouts winning the series' first two games. Wednesday's game
Pandas fall in rain-shortened series opener in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (12-26) lost to the Chattanooga Lookouts (19-20) in a rain-shortened game, with a final score of 7-1 in Tuesday's series opener at AT&T Field. The game was halted after seven innings at 8:04 pm CT and officially called at 9:35 pm due
Moore, Rada extend streaks, but Pandas drop series finale in Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (12-25) concluded the first leg of their 12-game road trip, suffering a 5-1 loss to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (23-16) on Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium. In the loss, Nelson Rada walked, extending his on-base streak to 10 games, and recorded
Farris deals a quality start, but Trash Pandas fall 3-1 to Wahoos
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (22-16) defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas (12-24) 3-1 on Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium, limiting the Trash Pandas to just four hits. Rocket City starter Mitch Farris (L, 0-1) suffered his first loss of the season, despite allowing only one earned
Guzman doubles Trash Pandas to 4-2 Friday night win in Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Denzer Guzman's three-run double in the fifth inning led the Rocket City Trash Pandas (12-23) to a 4-2 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (21-16) on Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. This win evened the series at 2-2, heading into the weekend. The Rocket City bullpen
Blue Wahoos use five-run sixth inning to beat Trash Pandas 9-6
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (21-15) overcame three deficits and scored five runs in the sixth inning to defeat the Rocket City Trash Pandas (11-23) 9-6 on Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Denzer Guzman led the Rocket City offense, going 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs.
Hurtado dominates in Rocket City's 9-0 shutout of Wahoos on Wednesday
PENSACOLA, Fla. –The Rocket Trash Pandas (11-22) received a dominant pitching performance from Joel Hurtado (W, 3-2), shutting out the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (20-15) on Wednesday morning by a score of 9-0 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. José Quijada and Camden Minacci combined with Hurtado for the four-hit shutout, the first
Errors prove costly in 3-2 extra-inning loss in Pensacola on Tuesday
PENSACOLA, Fla. –The Rocket City Trash Pandas (10-22) lost 3-2 in 11 innings to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (20-14) in the opener of a six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Three costly errors contributed to the defeat, as all three runs scored by Pensacola were unearned. Rocket City dropped to
Rada, Trash Pandas win series finale over Biscuits on Mother's Day
MADISON, Ala. – The Trash Pandas were four outs away from being swept at home by the Montgomery Biscuits before a two-out, two-run single from centerfielder Nelson Rada in the sixth inning propelled the home team to a 7-5 win in game two of a doubleheader. Rocket City dropped game
Trash Pandas and Biscuits postponed on Saturday, doubleheader scheduled for Sunday
MADISON, Ala. – Tonight's scheduled game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Montgomery Biscuits has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a Sunday, May 11, doubleheader at Toyota Field featuring two seven-inning games. Game one starts at 12:05 p.m., and game
José Quijada joins Trash Pandas pitching staff, Travis Blankenhorn placed on IL
MADISON, Ala. – On Saturday, the Los Angeles Angels announced two roster moves that impacted the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Veteran left-handed reliever José Quijada was reinstated from the Triple-A Salt Lake Development List and transferred to Rocket City. Additionally, outfielder Travis Blankenhorn has been placed on the 7-day Injured
HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS: May 6-11 vs. Montgomery Biscuits
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their third homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate Montgomery Biscuits, May 6-11. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, May 6 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm |
Trash Pandas salute Armed Forces, fall 4-1 to Biscuits on Friday
MADISON, Ala. – For the fourth straight night, the Montgomery Biscuits (17-13) defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-20), this time by a final of 4-1. The Trash Pandas used Friday to salute our military with SAIC Armed Forces Night, welcoming 5,475 fans into Toyota Field. The Biscuits started their
Veteran pitchers Sean Poppen and Jordan Holloway join Trash Pandas roster
MADISON, Ala. – On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels announced three roster moves that affected the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Veteran right-handed pitchers Sean Poppen and Jordan Holloway have joined the Trash Pandas roster from the ACL Angels, and in a corresponding move, RHP Ryan Costeiu has been transferred to
Ketchup homers, but Biscuits stop Pandas' win streak on Tuesday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-17) returned to Toyota Field on Tuesday night, but their three-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-2 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits (14-13). In the loss, Sam Brown had another big night offensively, reaching base safely three times and
Trash Pandas take series from Smokies with doubleheader sweep on Sunday
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After back-to-back rainouts on Friday and Saturday, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-16) swept a doubleheader against the Knoxville Smokies (12-13) on Sunday afternoon, winning 6-3 and 8-2 at Covenant Health Park. Sam Brown led the offense, going 5-for-8 with two triples, two doubles, and four RBIs,
Saturday night's game between Trash Pandas and Smokies canceled due to rain
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Saturday’s game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park has been canceled due to rain. Since a doubleheader is scheduled for Sunday, this game will not be made up, as the teams do not meet again in the first half
Trash Pandas postponed by rain in Knoxville on Friday night
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park on Friday night has been postponed due to rain. The Smokies announced late Friday night that a doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday, starting at 11:30 am CT. The doubleheader will
Aldegheri tosses 7.0 shutout innings as Pandas beat Smokies 5-3
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Spring Tune-Up Car Show rescheduled for May 31
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Urena shines in 5-4 loss to Smokies on Wednesday night
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