Trash Pandas Roll to Fourth Straight Win, 8-3 Over Barons

MADISON, AL — On a day in which 17 roster moves impacted the roster, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (18-16, 53-49) continued their recent surge with an 8-3 victory over the Birmingham Barons (15-19, 41-62) on Tuesday night in the opener of a six-game series at Toyota Field. Austin Gordon matched a career high with 10 strikeouts, while Rocket City's offense pounded out 10 hits to extend its winning streak to four games and increase its Southern League North second-half lead to 1.5 games over Knoxville.

Despite the influx of new faces over the previous two days, it was some familiar favorites who helped Rocket City jump in front early. Nick Rodriguez led off the bottom of the first with his Southern League-leading 26th double before advancing to third on a groundout. Tucker Flint followed with an RBI single to make it 1-0, and Caleb Bartolero added a single later in the inning, with Flint scoring before Bartolero was caught in a rundown trying to stretch the hit into a double, giving the Trash Pandas a 2-0 lead.

Gordon was dominant from the outset, striking out the side in both the first and second innings and retiring nine of the first 10 batters he faced. The right-hander did not allow a hit until Anthony DePino connected on a two-out solo home run in the fourth. Gordon struck out eight of the first 12 batters he retired while issuing just two walks through the opening four innings.

Rocket City answered immediately with its biggest inning of the night, sending eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth. Flint worked a leadoff walk before stealing second and third, then scored on Jake Thompson's RBI single. Juan Flores followed with an RBI double before a wild pitch plated Thompson. Anthony Scull then lined an RBI single to right, stole second, and later scored on Mac McCroskey's two-out RBI single, extending the lead to 6-1.

Birmingham answered with a run in the fifth when Samuel Zavala doubled home Ryan Burrowes, trimming the deficit to 6-2. Gordon (W, 5-6) completed his team-leading 21st start by tossing 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while matching a season and career high with 10 strikeouts. The Myrtle Beach, S.C., native recorded his 10th quality start of the season and, over his last 11 starts since June 1, has gone 4-1 with a Southern League-best 3.48 ERA while striking out 67 and walking just 18 over 54.1 innings. Gordon also moved up to fourth in the league with 99 strikeouts.

The Trash Pandas answered again in the bottom half. Jake Munroe reached on an infield single and advanced to third on a throwing error by third baseman Caleb Bonemer, extending his Southern League-best on-base streak to 23 games, surpassing former teammate Raudi Rodriguez's 22-game streak for the longest by a Trash Panda this season. Flint added his second RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly to center, stretching the lead to 7-2.

Carlos Espinosa took over in the seventh and struck out two in a perfect inning before working around an eighth-inning error that led to an unearned run. Zavala singled before advancing on Espinosa's throwing error and eventually scoring on a fielder's choice to make it 7-3. Earlier in the inning, Flores erased a baserunner by picking off Alec Briley at first, and Espinosa extended his streak without allowing an earned run to 12 consecutive appearances dating back to June 18.

Rocket City added its final run in the bottom of the eighth. Flores drew a walk, Scull singled, and Cole Fontenelle worked another free pass to load the bases before Rodriguez lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Flores for the 8-3 advantage.

Camden Minacci closed out the victory with a perfect ninth inning, striking out two to seal Rocket City's fourth consecutive win.

Flint reached base safely in all four plate appearances, finishing 1-for-1 with two runs scored, two RBIs, two walks, and two stolen bases while increasing his team-leading RBI total to 59 and extending his on-base streak to nine games. Flores went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and his fifth Double-A double, while Scull also collected two hits, finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

The Trash Pandas and Barons continue their series on Wednesday night at Toyota Field. LHP Lucas Knowles (1-0, 6.23) makes his first Rocket City start and will face off against White Sox rehabbing RHP Drew Thorpe (0-0, 0.00). Fans can watch on Bally Sports Live, MiLB.TV, or MLB.TV, and listen locally on ESPN 97.7 The Zone and Talk Radio WZZN 97.7 FM HD-2.

Wednesday’s Promotions:

• Bookworm Night: Calling all book lovers! The Trash Pandas are teaming up with Greene Books and Blushing Books for Bookworm Night, presented by Marx Optical. Fans can purchase a special Bookworm Night Ticket Package HERE featuring a game ticket and a Blind Date with a Book, including a wrapped surprise book in your choice of Contemporary Romance, Local Author Fiction, or Mystery/Thriller.
• Wine Wednesday: Enjoy $5 rosé, red, and white wine specials throughout the game at the Rock Porch, Raccoon Saloon, Third Base Bar, and SportsMED Stadium Club.
• Warfighter Wednesday: The Trash Pandas team up with Blue Origin and partners like Vet Tix to honor service members, veterans, and first responders. Fans and businesses can get involved by purchasing group ticket packages or donating tickets through Vet Tix to help those who serve enjoy a night at the ballpark.

Tickets are available at TPTix.com. Fans can book a group outing for the 2026 season by visiting trashpandasgroups.com or by calling the group sales department directly at (256) 325-1403, option 2. A complete promotional schedule for the season can be found HERE.