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
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 a double. Denzer Guzman drew a walk in the seventh inning, extending his team-best on-base streak to 14 games. Unfortunately, the Pandas stranded 10 runners on base and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Rocket City starter George Klassen (L, 0-2) made his second start of the series on Sunday, following a season-high nine strikeouts on Tuesday night. The 22-year-old had a scoreless first inning but gave up a solo home run to Birmingham's right fielder Wilfred Veras to start the top of the second inning.
After striking out the first two batters in the top of the third inning, Klassen hit Rikuu Nishida with a pitch, and William Bergolla followed with a two-out single. The two baserunners successfully pulled off a double steal, putting them in scoring position. Mario Camilletti capitalized on the opportunity with a single to left, bringing both runners home and extending their lead to 3-0.
Birmingham then turned to their bullpen at the start of the fourth inning, and Cole Fontenelle welcomed left-hander Shane Murphy (W, 1-0) by hitting a solo home run to left field. This was Fontenelle's second home run of the homestand and his first from the right side of the plate. Birmingham starter Grant Taylor, a Florence native, pitched 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.
The Pandas narrowed the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth inning. Caleb Ketchup hit a single down the third base line, and Christian Moore narrowly missed a home run, settling for a double off the wall in right-center that advanced Ketchup to third. Nelson Rada hit a fly ball to left-center, which fell due to miscommunication in the outfield, resulting in a double that scored Ketchup. However, Murphy struck out the next two batters, leaving the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.
Klassen pitched effectively again in his team-leading fifth start, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.0 innings while walking none and striking out five. Houston Harding pitched well in relief, keeping the Barons from scoring. In his fourth appearance, the former Mississippi State pitcher allowed no runs on three hits in 3.0 innings of relief.
Brady Choban pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning for the Trash Pandas in his league-leading ninth appearance. Moore recorded his third hit of the afternoon with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Birmingham closer Zach Franklin (S, 2) secured a strikeout and a fly out to end the game.
The Trash Pandas will hit the road this week for a six-game series at the newly opened Covenant Health Park in Knoxville. Game one of the series is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00 pm, with left-hander Mitch Farris (0-0, 1.46) starting for Rocket City against Knoxville right-hander Will Sanders (0-1, 2.95). Fans can watch the game on Bally Live, and MiLB.tv, or listen on ESPN 97.7 HD-2 and trashpandasbaseball.com.
The Trash Pandas will return to Toyota Field from May 6-11 to host the Montgomery Biscuits for a six-game homestand.
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 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