2023 Top Ten Moments: Part Two
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, starting with #6-10 which you can read here. Now,
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, starting with #6-10 which you can read here. Now, for our top five...
5. Neto Goes Nuclear on Friday, Gets Called Up Saturday - April 14th
Zach Neto is no stranger to the spotlight. A first-round draft pick last year, he quickly made his way to Double-A and led a Trash Pandas playoff team in latter half of 2022. The shortstop started the 2023 campaign in Rocket City too, hitting .444 over the first week of the season. His primetime performance came on April 14th in Birmingham, where he blasted two homers and drove in five runs. With the Pandas holding an 11-0 lead, Neto was pulled from the game in the 8th inning -- nothing really out of the ordinary in a blowout contest. As it turned out, he actually got the call to The Show. On April 15th, it was announced that Neto was being promoted to the Los Angeles Angels, becoming the first 2022 draftee to make his debut. Oh yeah, and he got to do it in Fenway Park.
Wanna see @ZachNeto25 go yard?
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) April 15, 2023
Wanna see him do it again?
A pair of blasts in Birmingham tonight! pic.twitter.com/xkLjviESbT
4. Tucker Flint Robs Two Home Runs in Same Game - July 26th
Preventing one would-be big fly is always an impressive feat. How about two in one night? That's what Trash Pandas outfielder Tucker Flint did against the Tennessee Smokies in July. In the third inning, Owen Caissie lofted a ball into deep left -- as it hung in the air, Flint drifted back, found the wall, and timed his jump perfectly to bring one back. Two innings later, Andy Weber hit one to nearly the exact same spot, but much harder off the bat. Flint scurried back, felt the warning track, and leapt into the wall for a spectacular crashing catch. It would ultimately be named as the "Premier Play of the Year" as voted on through Minor League Baseball social media channels.
NO WAY HE JUST DID IT AGAIN
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) July 27, 2023
TUCKER FLINT ROBS HIS SECOND HOMER OF THE NIGHT https://t.co/0Ed3LaiVVI pic.twitter.com/jsbhbT6IMs
3. Complete Game Kochanowicz - May 20th
Want to endear yourself to Trash Panda Nation? It's all about making a positive first impression, and Jack Kochanowicz did just that (and more) on May 20th. Making his first Toyota Field start after getting a promotion one week prior, the big right-hander donned our specialty Armed Forces jersey and went to work. Needing just 88 pitches to get through 9 innings against the Barons, Kochanowicz delivered the third nine-inning complete game in franchise history in front of a raucous Saturday night crowd. He nearly had the complete game shutout too -- he was one strike away when Yoelqui Cespedes went yard to dead center -- but it was a masterful performance nonetheless in his home debut.
"I've been dreaming all week of this first home start."
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) May 21, 2023
We talked with Jack Kochanowicz following his magnificent complete game on Saturday night in front of #TrashPandaNation. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/PIxwHY6myX
2. Four Friday Night Walk-Offs
The Trash Pandas debuted brand new "Halo Blue" uniforms in 2023, worn every Friday night as a nod to our space exploration industry and our parent club, the Los Angeles Angels. With fresh threads and the always-electric weekend atmosphere at Toyota Field, Rocket City rode that energy to FOUR Friday night walk-off wins.
The party started on June 9th with a 10th inning wild pitch against the Smokies, which scored Aaron Whitefield and sent the fans into a frenzy. Nearly the exact same thing happened two weeks later. David Calabrese stood at the plate again in the 10th, and this time a Biscuits wild pitch sent Livan Soto to the plate for the clincher. The Chattanooga Lookouts were the next victim on July 7th. With two outs, two strikes, and two on in 9th, Tyler Payne set off the fireworks when he laced a single into center to score Jeremiah Jackson. Finally, on August 25th, Mac McCroskey drew a 10th inning bases loaded walk against the Barons for another dramatic victory. Yes, you read all that correctly -- four walk-offs and only one hit was needed between them.
THIRD STRAIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT WALKOFF!!!!!!!!
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) July 8, 2023
TYLER PAYNE SENDS US HOME IN THE 9TH!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7NjzUZxJbd
1. 12-Run Comeback in Montgomery - May 30th
The three largest comebacks in Major League Baseball history are each 12 runs -- Cleveland over Seattle in 2001, Philadelphia over Cleveland in 1925, and Detroit over Chicago in 1911. On May 30th, 2023, the Trash Pandas faced that exact deficit heading into the 4th inning against the Biscuits.
Landon Marceaux started the game for Rocket City but didn't make it out of the 1st inning, surrendering 7 runs (none of them earned, incredibly) on 4 hits. Robinson Piña followed in relief and got clubbed as well, giving up 5 runs to Montgomery. Just like that it was 12-0. Surely the game is done and dusted from that point, no?
The Trash Pandas dug their cleats in and started to chip away. One run in the 4th, two runs in the 5th, another run in the 6th. Still 12-4, though...then the 7th inning happened. The box score reads as follows: Bryce Teodosio single, David Calabrese single, Edgar Quero reaches on an error, Orlando Martinez single, Jeremiah Jackson single, Tucker Flint hit by pitch, Aaron Whitefield walk, Jose Gomez sacrifice fly, Kevin Maitan walk, Bryce Teodosio double, David Calabrese groundout, Edgar Quero single, Orlando Martinez single, Jeremiah Jackson double, and a Tucker Flint strikeout. After all that, ELEVEN runs crossed the plate and Rocket City had a 15-12 lead which they would ultimately close out with a win.
Not to be lost amongst the incredible effort of the offense -- the Trash Pandas bullpen combination of Dakota Donovan, Brandon Dufault, Kolton Ingram, and Kenyon Yovan delivered 6.1 scoreless innings to hold the Biscuits at a dozen on the scoreboard. One of the greatest comebacks in the history of baseball, and it happened on a Tuesday night at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium.
What does a 12-run comeback win look like?
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) May 31, 2023
- GIDP
- 2-Run HR
- Solo HR
- E3
- RBI Single
- Bases Loaded HBP
- Bases Loaded BB
- Sacrifice Fly
- 2-Run Double
- 2-Run Single
- 2-Run Double pic.twitter.com/bhI1KxSc0R
Get your "Bama Butts" and "Alabama White Sauce" Sampling Tickets
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are hosting BBQ Weekend at Toyota Field Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, and will be highlighted by "Best Pork Butt" and "Best White Sauce".. Fans are invited to purchase BBQ sampling ticket packages (limit of 200 available per game) to
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
Homestand Highlights: June 10-15 vs. Pensacola
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for a 12-game homestand in 13 days, welcoming the Miami Marlins' affiliate Pensacola Blue Wahoos, June 10-15, and then the Cincinnati Reds' affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts, June 17-22. The first leg of the homestand features a promotional lineup that
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,
Trash Pandas beat Shuckers 2-1 on Saturday behind Hurtado, homers and 7,162 fans at Toyota Field
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (18-30) picked up a 2-1 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers (29-21) on Saturday night, thanks to two solo home runs and a quality start from Joel Hurtado. The win secured the series victory for the Trash Pandas, as they have taken four
Streaking Pandas sweep doubleheader from Shuckers
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (17-29) swept a doubleheader against the Biloxi Shuckers (28-20) on Thursday night at Toyota Field, winning game one 2-1 and game two 4-1. The sweep extended their winning streak to three games, taking a 3-0 series lead over the first-place Shuckers. Rocket
Bullpen comes up big in 3-2 win over Shuckers
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (15-29) returned to Toyota Field for the first time since May 11 and picked up a 3-2 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers (28-18) on Wednesday night. All three of the Pandas' runs came in the fifth inning, ignited by a solo home
Welcome Home: Daly returns to the Rocket City
Mitch Daly’s baseball career started in Madison as a Bob Jones Patriot before taking him to Texas, Kentucky, and the rest of the country, chasing his dream of playing in the Major Leagues. Wednesday marks his return to Madison, making his home debut for the Rocket City Trash Pandas after
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
Homestand Highlights: May 27 - June 1 vs. Biloxi Shuckers
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their fourth homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate Biloxi Shuckers, May 28 – June 1. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Wednesday, May 28 | First Pitch: 6:35
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
Pandas use six-run sixth to earn late-night win on Saturday in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (14-28) endured a 69-minute rain delay on Saturday night in Chattanooga and then utilized a six-run sixth inning to secure an 8-5 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts (21-22). The Trash Pandas recorded 11 hits and worked nine walks in a game that
Lookouts' gaffe, Guzman's blast lifts Rocket City to 7-5 win
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (13-27) secured a 7-5 victory against the Chattanooga Lookouts (20-21) on Thursday night at AT&T Field, snapping their four-game losing streak. The win featured home runs from Josh Crouch and Denzer Guzman, along with five unearned runs scored in the sixth inning.
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
Rada runs wild on Friday, but Lookouts beat Pandas 4-2
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Nelson Rada became the first player in Double-A this season to steal 20 bases on Friday night, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (13-28) lost to the Chattanooga Lookouts (21-21) by a score of 4-2 at AT&T Field. Rada finished the game 1-for-3 with an RBI, 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