Trash Pandas Take Championship Series Lead With 5-4 Comeback Win in Biloxi

BILOXI, MS — The Rocket City Trash Pandas are coming home with a championship within reach. Nick Rodriguez's ninth-inning RBI single completed a 5-4 comeback victory over the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday night at Keesler Federal Park, giving Rocket City a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Southern League Championship Series. The Trash Pandas can claim their first championship — and bring the Huntsville area its first outright Southern League title since 1994 — in Game 2 on Tuesday at 6:35 pm at Toyota Field.

Down 4-2 entering the seventh, Rocket City scored the game's final three runs while Lucas Knowles, Camden Minacci and Kenyon Yovan combined for 3.2 scoreless innings to give the offense its opportunity.

With the score tied 4-4 in the ninth, Arjun Nimmala lined a one-out double to right against Ryan Birchard. Rodriguez followed with a single through the right side, bringing Nimmala home with the decisive run.

"Good pitcher, really good fastball," Rodriguez said of Birchard. "So I was trying to get something in the middle and put a good swing on it."

Yovan made the lead stand with a perfect bottom of the ninth. After Mike Boeve lined out to Anthony Scull in center, Yovan covered first on Dylan O'Rae's groundout and struck out Braylon Payne swinging to finish the victory.

The late rally began with Scull's leadoff double against Manuel Rodriguez in the seventh. Nimmala followed with a fielder's choice that left both runners safe, advancing to second on shortstop Jesús Made's throwing error as Scull reached third. A wild pitch scored Scull and moved Nimmala to third, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

After Rodriguez lined out, Jake Munroe greeted reliever Garrett Hodges with an RBI single to right, tying the game.

"You know, we're never out of the fight," Rodriguez said. "And so that's kind of what we've been leaning on through this whole postseason run."

Jacob Cozart gave Rocket City its first lead in the third, following Munroe's two-out walk with a two-run homer to right off Josh Knoth. It was his second home run of the postseason and pushed his playoff RBI total to six, continuing a productive October-style stretch after he went 5-for-9 in the Division Series sweep of Knoxville.

"Yeah, I mean, all their arms are good," Cozart said. "Their starter was no exception."

For Cozart, the key was staying committed to his approach against a starter who otherwise limited Rocket City to three singles and a double over six innings.

"Just really trying to hone in and attack the approach," Cozart said.

Knoth otherwise kept Rocket City in check, allowing two runs over six innings with six strikeouts.

Biloxi answered with Josh Adamczewski's solo homer in the fourth, then moved ahead in the fifth. O'Rae singled and Payne walked before Made's forceout left runners at the corners with two outs. Andrew Fischer followed with a three-run homer to left-off Eybersson Polanco, putting the Shuckers ahead 4-2.

Rocket City's bullpen prevented Biloxi from adding on. Knowles entered with one out and a runner aboard in the sixth. After Eric Bitonti singled, Knowles retired Boeve on an infield fly and struck out O'Rae to strand both runners.

Minacci worked around leadoff singles in the seventh and eighth, getting a double-play grounder from Matthew Wood in the eighth before striking out Bitonti. His two scoreless innings earned him his second win of the postseason, and Yovan needed only 11 pitches to secure the save.

"They go out there, they leave it all out on the field," Cozart said of the pitching staff.

Starter Nate Snead set the tone with four innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four.

Rodriguez, Munroe and Tucker Flint each finished with two hits as Rocket City collected 10 and improved to 3-0 this postseason. Munroe also walked twice, scored on Cozart's homer and drove in the tying run.

Now the Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field needing one more victory. Tickets for Tuesday's potential championship clincher are available at TPTix.com. If needed, Game 3 would follow Wednesday at 6:35 pm.

Championship Series Tickets:

Tickets are on sale now for the Southern League Championship Series games at Toyota Field! Rocket City will host Game 2 on Tuesday, September 22, and Game 3, if necessary, on Wednesday, September 23. Fans can purchase tickets HERE, at the Wicks Family Foundation Box Office, or by calling (256) 325-1403.

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.