Hurtado dominates on Friday, but Pandas fall 2-1 in 10 innings

MADISON, AL – In one of the Southern League's best pitchers' duels this season, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (27-27) and Columbus Clingstones (26-27) traded zeros through nine innings before Columbus broke through in the 10th for a 2-1 victory on Friday night at Toyota Field.

For the seventh consecutive start, Joel Hurtado delivered a standout performance on the mound. The Angels' No. 22 prospect matched a career high with 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing no walks, striking out four, and inducing 10 ground-ball outs. Hurtado lowered his ERA to 2.52, third-best in the Southern League, but settled for a no-decision. Over his last seven starts, Hurtado has allowed just four earned runs across 40.0 innings, good for a 0.90 ERA.

Columbus starter Garrett Baumann, the Braves' No. 12 prospect, matched Hurtado pitch for pitch. The 21-year-old tossed a career-high 7.2 scoreless innings, allowing one walk and striking out seven.

Rocket City's offense was limited throughout the night. Raudi Rodriguez singled in the first inning, but the Trash Pandas managed just two baserunners over the next six frames. Their best chance came in the eighth when J.J. D'Orazio lined a two-out single to end Baumann's night. Columbus reliever LJ McDonough (W, 3-2) walked David Calabrese to put two aboard, but escaped the inning with a strikeout. In the ninth, Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before Ben Gobbel walked, but a lineout and strikeout sent the game to extra innings.

Columbus finally broke through in the 10th. Jordan Groshans doubled home automatic runner David McCabe for the game's first run, and after a groundout, Logan Braunschweig added an RBI single to make it 2-0. Eybersson Polanco (L, 2-3) was charged with the loss despite allowing just one earned run over 3.0 innings of relief, striking out one and walking one.

The Trash Pandas mounted one final rally in the bottom of the 10th. After recording the first two outs, Columbus closer Blane Abeyta (S, 3) surrendered a two-strike bloop double down the left-field line to Calabrese, scoring automatic runner Harold Coll to cut the deficit to 2-1. Abeyta recovered by striking out Kyren Paris on a foul tip to end the game.

Rocket City was held to four hits and has dropped three of the first four games in the series. With the loss, the Trash Pandas fall 2.5 games behind Chattanooga and a half-game behind Knoxville in the North Division standings with 15 games remaining in the first half.

The Trash Pandas and Clingstones continue their six-game series on Friday night at Toyota Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with RHP Ryan Johnson (0-1, 2.16) set to start for Rocket City against Columbus RHP Lucas Braun (0-3, 7.04). Fans can watch on Bally Sports Live, MLB.tv, and MiLB.tv, and listen locally on Talk Radio WZZN 97.7 FM HD-2 and ESPN The Zone 97.7 FM.

Saturday’s Promotions:

• Saturday Night Fireworks: Stay in your seat after the game, as Bill Penney Toyota presents a spectacular Fireworks Show!
• Negro League Tribute Night and Juneteenth Kickback: The Trash Pandas will wear throwback Southern Negro League Huntsville Stars uniforms, and will also include a tribute to local Negro League figure Eugene Scruggs life and legacy. Fans can enjoy Rock Porch happy hour specials, an Uncle Nearest tasting, Negro League Museum and artist displays, an appearance by former Dallas Cowboys player, Reddy Steward, as well as former Arizona Cardinal and Baltimore Ravens football player Jarraud Powers, and in-game entertainment from the Heart & Soul Steppaz.

Tickets are available starting at just $8. They can be purchased online HERE. Fans can book a group outing for the 2026 season by visiting trashpandasgroups.com or by calling the group sales department directly at (256) 325-1403 option 2. A complete promotional schedule for the season can be found HERE.

Fans are reminded that Toyota Field follows MiLB's clear bag policy. Guests are allowed one clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. Small, clear clutches are also permitted. Exceptions will be made for medical needs and parents with infants (diaper bags). Learn more about this policy here.

ABOUT THE ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS

Owned and operated by BallCorps, LLC, the Rocket City Trash Pandas are the proud Double-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels in the Southern League. The Trash Pandas play at state-of-the-art TOYOTA Field in Madison, Alabama. The organization's mission is to unite our communities by creating positive and lasting memories one experience at a time.