2023 Top Ten Moments: Part One
The Rocket City Trash Pandas embarked on their third baseball journey in 2023, which was filled once again with many memories both at Toyota Field and away from home. We went back and ranked our top ten moments of the season... 10. The First Win of the Year...Right After THAT
The Rocket City Trash Pandas embarked on their third baseball journey in 2023, which was filled once again with many memories both at Toyota Field and away from home. We went back and ranked our top ten moments of the season...
10. The First Win of the Year...Right After THAT Game - April 8th
The beauty of baseball is that no matter what happens -- win, loss, or rainout -- you usually get to try it again the very next day. Or in this case, two hours later. In the first game of a doubleheader against the Lookouts on opening weekend, the Trash Pandas were one out away from a combined no-hitter. Ultimately, they still threw a no-hitter but lost the game 7-5 in a crazy and chaotic 7th inning that will go down in baseball history. Look it up for yourself if you want to know more.
Sam Bachman took the ball to start the nightcap and took matters into his own hands, tossing 5 shutout innings while striking out 9. Orlando Martinez blasted a home run and that was all Rocket City needed en route to a 3-0 victory. How many hits did the Trash Pandas surrender in response? One.
Victorious vibes in #TrashPandaNation! pic.twitter.com/mBVQ6leINK
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) April 9, 2023
9. The Largest Crowd in Trash Pandas History - July 4th
Is there anything better than baseball on the Fourth of July? Trash Panda Nation packed Toyota Field to the gills on a perfectly gorgeous 85-degree Independence Day, marking the biggest in-venue attendance in team history at a full 7,500. We're already looking forward to another day of patriotic play on July 4, 2024, against the Birmingham Barons.
Packed to the brim with 7,500 on #4thofJuly.
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) July 5, 2023
Largest crowd in Trash Pandas history! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GMVrMDBWWt
8. Tucker Flint's Sunday Slugfest Walk-Off - May 21st
21 combined runs. 24 combined hits. 4 ties. 4 lead changes. Arguably the wildest win at Toyota Field this season went down on Sunday, May 21st. The Barons jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, and Rocket City would respond with a six-run outburst in the third inning. Birmingham seemed to take control after a grand slam gave them a 10-6 advantage, but the Trash Pandas clawed back to make it a one-run deficit heading into the 9th. Outfielder Orlando Martinez immediately equalized it with a solo shot to right field, and three batters later Tucker Flint smashed a double down the left field line to score Aaron Whitefield all the way from first for a dramatic 11-10 victory.
TUCKER FLINT WALKS IT OFF IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/wSIyvk7h1w
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) May 21, 2023
7. Kyren Paris' Game-Tying Inside-The-Park Home Run - August 2nd
Another day, another frenetic matchup with the Barons. Playing in Birmingham for a doubleheader, Kyren Paris stepped to the plate with two runners on and two outs in the final frame. On a 1-1 pitch from Garrett Schoenle, he barreled a hanging slider towards center field. Terrell Tatum seemed to have a beat on it, but whether it was tailing, diving or lost in the sunlight, the outfielder misplayed the ball and Paris was off to the races as it careened to the wall. The 21-year-old showcased his speed with an elite home-to-home time of about 15 seconds, and just like that the game was going to extras.
The Trash Pandas held off the Barons in the bottom of the 7th, and Tucker Flint blasted a three-run homer in the top of the 8th to finish off the comeback. Rocket City won the next game too, 3-2, to sweep the doubleheader -- they finished the season with a 19-11 record against Birmingham.
DOWN TO OUR LAST OUT
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) August 2, 2023
KYREN PARIS INSIDE-THE-PARK HOME RUN TO TIE IT
ASDFGHJKLQWERTYUIOMGGGGGGG pic.twitter.com/k6pnAdmBku
6. 12 Former Trash Pandas Make Their MLB Debuts
Nine Trash Pandas players were "Launched To The League" in 2021. Seven more in 2022. A dozen had their dreams come true this year as they were called up by the Los Angeles Angels -- 8 of them directly from Double-A Rocket City. Congratulations to Zach Neto, Sam Bachman, Ben Joyce, Jose Soriano, Kolton Ingram, Victor Mederos, Trey Cabbage, Jordyn Adams, Kyren Paris, Davis Daniel, and Kelvin Caceres on getting to The Show and making us all proud.
DID YOU KNOW? 9️⃣ members of the 2023 Trash Pandas made their MLB debuts with the @Angels this season! #LaunchedToTheLeague
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) October 5, 2023
⚾️ Zach Neto
⚾️ Sam Bachman
⚾️ Ben Joyce
⚾️ Jose Soriano
⚾️ Kolton Ingram
⚾️ Victor Mederos
⚾️ Nolan Schanuel
⚾️ Kyren Paris
⚾️ Kelvin Caceres pic.twitter.com/iL5wEzepgk
Homestand Highlights: July 18-20 vs. Columbus
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas welcome the Atlanta Braves' affiliate, Columbus Clingstones, to Toyota Field for the first time this weekend, Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20. This weekend includes back-to-back Fireworks Shows, a visit from the Tennessee Titans, Margaritaville Night with Jersey Auction, and the
Sam Brown gives Rocket City back-to-back Southern League Player of the Week awards
MADISON, Alabama – For the second consecutive week, a Rocket City Trash Pandas infielder has earned Southern League Player of the Week honors. Sam Brown was recognized by Minor League Baseball for his standout performance during the week of July 8–13. In Rocket City’s road series against Chattanooga, Brown led
Guzman Makes History as Trash Pandas Roll Into Break With Series Split
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Behind a record-setting performance from shortstop Denzer Guzman, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6–12, 30–56) cruised to an 8–2 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (8–9, 46–37) on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Field. The victory secured a series split and gave the Trash Pandas back-to-back wins heading into
Trash Pandas' Bats and Bullpen Dominate in 10–3 Win Over Lookouts
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (5–12, 29–56) pounded out 13 hits and got a stellar performance from their bullpen to earn a 10–3 blowout win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (8–8, 46–36) on Saturday night at AT&T Field. With the victory, Rocket City will now aim for a
Colás Goes Deep, Ureña Steady as Trash Pandas Rally
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-10, 28-54) rallied late on Wednesday night to earn a 4–3 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts (6-7, 44-35) in the second game of their series at AT&T Field. Oscar Colás led the charge with a two-run homer, his seventh of the season,
Denzer Guzman named Southern League Player of the Week
MADISON, Alabama – Rocket City Trash Pandas infielder Denzer Guzman has been named the Southern League Player of the Week by Minor League Baseball for the week of July 1–6. In a six-game split series against the Knoxville Smokies, Guzman led the league with a 1.316 OPS and seven extra-base
Edwards hits go-ahead homer, Klassen fans nine in 2-1 win over Smokies
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Starter George Klassen matched his season high by recording nine strikeouts, and Evan Edwards hit the go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie, leading the Rocket City Trash Pandas (3-8, 27-52) to a 2-1 victory over the Knoxville Smokies (5-6, 38-42) on
Trash Pandas burst five bombs in air, leaving Smokies with red glare in a 10-8 win
MADISON, Ala. – Oscar Colas pelted three solo homers, and Josh Crouch whistled a three-run go-ahead dinger in the eighth as the Trash Pandas (2-7, 26-51) came from behind to defeat the Knoxville Smokies (4-5, 33-38) 10-8 in front of 7,157 raucous fans Thursday night at Toyota Field The Trash
Streak Snapped! Trash Pandas blast Smokies 9-1 to end skid
MADISON, Ala. – It's over! On Wednesday night, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (1-7, 25-51) ended their 16-game losing streak by blasting the Knoxville Smokies (4-4, 36-40) at Toyota Field, 9-1. Denzer Guzman hit a three-run home run that capped off a four-run third inning, and the Trash Pandas never
George Klassen named to 2025 All-Star Futures Game
MADISON, Ala. – Rocket City Trash Pandas right-handed pitcher George Klassen has been chosen to participate in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. This 26th edition of the Futures Game will take place at 3:00 pm CT on Saturday, July 12, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Klassen will represent the Trash
Rain spoils Trash Pandas' winning hopes on Sunday despite tying the game in the ninth
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (0-6, 24-50) suffered a heartbreaking 15th straight loss on Sunday, as rain interrupted the series finale in the ninth inning. The Montgomery Biscuits (6-0, 43-31) won the game at Riverwalk Stadium 6-5 in a rain-shortened eight-inning contest. The two teams will not
Independence Week and Fourth of July Festival coming up at Toyota Field
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are thrilled to announce a week-long Independence Day celebration as they host the Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field from July 1-3. The festivities will include an Independence Eve Celebration and Fireworks, presented by SAIC, and a Fourth of July Festival culminating with
Fatherhood, Baseball, and Life Lessons
Baseball and fatherhood go hand in hand for many families across the country. Most boys learn the game from their dads, who often learn it from theirs, and so on. Both baseball and fatherhood require Leadership, planning, and teamwork. The relationship between the two goes much deeper than a game
Wednesday's doubleheader suspended, will resume on Thursday
Madison, Ala. – Game one of Wednesday's doubleheader between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Chattanooga Lookouts at Toyota Field has been suspended. This game will resume on Thursday at 4:05 pm, followed by a second seven-inning game approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first. On Wednesday,
Homestand Highlights: June 17-22 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas continue their longest homestand of the season as they close out the first half welcoming the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A affiliate, at Toyota Field for seven games over six days, from Tuesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 22. The second
Trash Pandas show off their Butts, and win 4-1 over Blue Wahoos
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (24-35) kicked off a weekend celebration of Alabama's rich BBQ history on Friday night by playing as their alternate identity, the Bama Butts. They posted a 4-1 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-21) in front of 5,381 fans at Toyota Field.
Christian Moore Launched to the League
MADISON, Ala. – Former Trash Pandas infielder Christian Moore is headed to the majors after the Los Angeles Angels purchased his contract today. He becomes the 41st Trash Pandas player to make his major league debut. After a slow start to the season, Moore was riding a seven-game hitting streak
Pandas win second-straight over Wahoos, 5-4, on Thursday
MADISON, Ala. – On Thursday night at Toyota Field, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (23-35) captured their second consecutive victory, knocking off the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-30) 5-4. Mitch Farris struck out 10 batters over 6.1 innings, allowing the Pandas' offense to overcome a 3-0 deficit. The win gives Rocket
Pandas walk off Pensacola on Cole Fontenelle's 10th inning single
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (22-35) bounced back on Wednesday with a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-29), thanks to Cole Fontenelle's RBI single in the 10th inning. The Pandas out-hit the Blue Wahoos 12-11 and received another quality start from pitcher Walbert Ureña.
Hurtado stymies Barons 3-1 on Saturday night
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Joel Hurtado (W, 5-4) delivered his team-best sixth quality start of the season on Saturday night, leading the Rocket City Trash Pandas (21-33) to a 3-1 victory over the Birmingham Barons (30-25). The win gives Rocket City a 3-2 advantage in the series, heading into the finale
Barons win slogfest over Trash Pandas 11-6
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Nelson Rada extended his league-leading on-base streak to 15 games on Friday night, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (20-33) fell 11-6, their second straight loss to the Birmingham Barons (30-24) at Regions Field. Rada recorded his fourth three-hit game of the season, finishing 3-for-5 with a
Trash Pandas shut out Barons 1-0 in Rickwood Classic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (20-31) continued their winning ways on Wednesday afternoon, grabbing a 1-0 victory over the Birmingham Barons (28-24) during the Rickwood Classic. With this win, the Trash Pandas improved to 6-2 over their last eight games and took a 2-0 lead in the
Pandas start road trip with extra-inning win over Barons
The Rocket City Trash Pandas (19-31) started their six-game road series in Birmingham on Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory over the Birmingham Barons (28-23) in 10 innings. This win improved the Pandas' record to 5-2 in their last seven games as the series moves to historic Rickwood Field on
Sam Aldegheri recalled by Angels, Blankenhorn begins rehab assignment
MADISON, Ala. – The Los Angeles Angels made the following roster moves on Monday, impacting the Rocket City Trash Pandas. They have recalled left-handed pitcher Sam Aldegheri, who will be joining the team in Boston. Additionally, outfielder Travis Blankenhorn has begun a rehabilitation assignment with the ACL Angels. This season,