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.
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
KNOXVILLE, Tenn – Sam Aldegheri (W, 1-1) tossed 7.0 shutout innings, allowing only five hits, as the Rocket City Trash Pandas (7-16) kicked off May with a 5-3 victory over the Knoxville Smokies (12-11) at Covenant Health Park on Thursday night. The game featured two starting pitchers named Sam, both
Spring Tune-Up Car Show rescheduled for May 31
MADISON, Ala – The Rocket City Spring Tune-Up Car Show will be held Saturday, May 31, from 9 am to 2 pm in the Toyota Field Parking Lot. The family-friendly event will showcase classic and modern modified vehicles, with concessions available from the Trash Pandas. Due to forecasted rain, the
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 |
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
Urena shines in 5-4 loss to Smokies on Wednesday night
KNOXVILLE, TN – In another tightly contested game on Wednesday night at Covenant Health Park, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-16) fought back in the ninth inning, trailing by three runs. They managed to score two runs but ultimately fell short, falling 5-4 to the Knoxville Smokies (12-10). Out of
Moore homers in return to Knoxville, but Pandas drop slugfest
KNOXVILLE, TN – Christian Moore hit his first home run of the 2025 season and recorded three hits for the second consecutive game in his return to Knoxville, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-15) lost a back-and-forth slugfest 9-6 to the Knoxville Smokies (11-10) on Tuesday night at Covenant
Trash Pandas drop Sunday's series finale to Barons, 3-2
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-14) lost Sunday's series finale against the Birmingham Barons (11-9) in front of 4,429 fans at Toyota Field. Birmingham won the series, taking four out of six games. Christian Moore continued to swing a hot bat in the loss, finishing 3-for-5 with
Trash Pandas stop skid, take down Barons 4-2 on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-13) received a career-best performance from starter Joel Hurtado (W, 1-1), and knocked off the Birmingham Barons (10-9) 4-2 on Saturday in front of 5,103 fans at Toyota Field. Coming off a strong outing in Montgomery, Hurtado threw 11 of his first
José Fermin promoted from Rocket City to Los Angeles on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – On Saturday, the Los Angeles Angels announced the call-up of right-handed reliever José Fermin from the Rocket City Trash Pandas to the Major League roster. Fermin’s addition marks the 39th player from Rocket City to be promoted to the Majors, the third this year, and the 13th
Despite Denzer Guzman's career night, Pandas fall to Barons on Friday night
MADISON, Ala. – The Birmingham Barons (10-8) came from behind to defeat the Rocket City Trash Pandas (5-13), scoring four runs in the final two innings in front of 5,388 fans at Toyota Field on Friday night. Denzer Guzman extended his team-leading on-base streak to 13 games by recording his
Trash Pandas, Barons suspended on Thursday, game to resume Friday at 5:05 pm with regularly scheduled game to follow
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas and Birmingham Barons were interrupted twice by rain delays on Thursday night at Toyota Field, ultimately leading to its suspension with one out in the top of the eighth inning, with the Barons ahead 4-2. The two delays totaled 80 minutes, and
Homestand Highlights: April 22-27 vs. Birmingham Barons
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their second homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons, April 22-27. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, April 22 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm |
Pandas stop losing skid with matinee win on Wednesday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas used 12 Birmingham walks to cruise to a 5-1 win in front of 5,027 fans Wednesday afternoon at Toyota Field in a game that was delayed 1:17 due to rain. The game started as a pitchers’ duel between starting pitchers Mitch Farris
Klassen strikes out nine in Rocket City's 7-1 loss on Tuesday
MADISON, Ala. – Despite another impressive performance from starter George Klassen, who recorded nine strikeouts over 5.1 innings, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-11) lost their series opener to the Birmingham Barons (8-7) on Tuesday night, 7-1, at Toyota Field. This defeat marks the Trash Pandas' fourth consecutive loss and
Biscuits rally to beat Pandas in extras again on Sunday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-10) suffered their third one-run loss and fifth defeat of the week against the Montgomery Biscuits (9-5) on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-4 in 10 innings. This extra-inning game marked the third in the week and fourth in 14 games for the Pandas.
Trash Pandas comeback falls short in 7-5 loss to Biscuits
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-9) scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning and had the tying run on base in the ninth inning but ultimately fell short in a 7-4 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits (8-5) on Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The
Trash Pandas drop bizarre 13-12 decision to Biscuits in 11 innings
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-8) and Montgomery Biscuits (7-5) played their second-straight extra-inning game on Friday night that included a six-run inning, an 11-run inning, four position players pitching, and ultimately resulted in a Biscuits' 13-12 victory in 11 innings. Rocket City jumped out to a
Trash Pandas earn exciting 7-5 win in extras on Thursday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-7) quickly took a commanding 5-0 lead in the first inning and ultimately broke their four-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits (6-5) on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The Trash Pandas wasted no time against Montgomery starter
Klassen strikes out eight in Wednesday's loss in Montgomery
MADISON, Ala. – George Klassen made his team-leading third start of the year on Wednesday morning in Montgomery and delivered his best performance to date. Unfortunately, it ended in a no-decision, as the Montgomery Biscuits defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas 2-1, marking the Pandas' fourth consecutive loss. The 23-year-old
Pandas drop series opener in Montgomery
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas lost their first road game of the season on Tuesday night against the Montgomery Biscuits, 3-1 at Riverwalk Stadium. The Trash Pandas' pitching staff was great again, allowing just one earned run and striking out 11 batters, while Montgomery's pitchers struck out
Caleb Ketchup adds flavor to Trash Pandas Roster
MADISON, Ala. – The Los Angeles Angels made the following roster move on Tuesday that impacted the Rocket City Trash Pandas roster. Infielder Caleb Ketchup was transferred to Rocket City from High-A Tri-City, placing the roster at the maximum of 28 players. For the Dust Devils, the 23-year-old from Atlanta