Trash Pandas Top Barons 5-3 Behind Rodriguez's Four-Hit Night
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Reigning Southern League Player of the Week, Nick Rodriguez, recorded the first four-hit game of his professional career as the Rocket City Trash Pandas (10-10, 45-43) opened a three-game series following the All-Star break with a 5-3 victory over the Birmingham Barons (6-13, 32-56) on Friday night
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Reigning Southern League Player of the Week, Nick Rodriguez, recorded the first four-hit game of his professional career as the Rocket City Trash Pandas (10-10, 45-43) opened a three-game series following the All-Star break with a 5-3 victory over the Birmingham Barons (6-13, 32-56) on Friday night at Regions Field.
Rodriguez finished 4-for-5 with an RBI to lead a 13-hit Rocket City attack. Tucker Flint added three hits, while Mac McCroskey went 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs, and a run scored.
Birmingham opened the scoring in the second inning when Boston Smith hit a solo home run to right field off Rocket City starter Austin Gordon (W, 3-6)
The Trash Pandas broke through against Barons starter Lucas Gordon (L, 3-6) in the fifth. Jake Thompson opened the inning with a single and stole second before scoring on McCroskey's RBI triple to left. Nick Rodriguez followed with a single to right, bringing home McCroskey and giving Rocket City a 2-1 lead.
Gordon made the advantage stand, allowing one run on three hits over 5.0 innings. The right-hander walked three and struck out seven in his team-leading 18th start of the season.
Rocket City doubled its lead in the seventh. Thompson drew a leadoff walk and scored when Cole Fontenelle lined an RBI triple to center. McCroskey followed with an RBI single, extending the advantage to 4-1.
The Barons answered in the bottom half when Smith singled and Dylan Campbell followed with a two-run homer to left-center, cutting the Rocket City lead to 4-3.
After Camden Minacci worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts, the Trash Pandas added an insurance run in the ninth. Raudi Rodriguez walked, Flint singled, and Caleb Bartolero drove home Rodriguez with a single to right for a 5-3 lead.
Luke Murphy took over in the ninth and worked around a one-out single to earn his Minor League-leading 17th save. With the potential tying run at the plate, Colby Shelton drove a deep fly ball to center field, but Raudi Rodriguez tracked it down at the wall for the final out.
Flint finished 3-for-5, while Bartolero added two hits and an RBI. Thompson reached three times with a hit and two walks and scored twice as Rocket City finished with 13 hits and went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Nick Rodriguez, the reigning Southern League Player of the Week, also extended his hitting streak to seven games, batting .483 with three doubles, a homer, seven RBIs, and six runs scored.
The Trash Pandas and Barons continue their three-game series on Saturday night at Regions Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 pm with RHP Joel Hurtado (6-3, 3.36) starting for Rocket City against RHP Juan Carela (0-1, 4.50) for Birmingham. Fans can watch on Bally Sports Live, MLB.TV, and MiLB.TV, or listen on ESPN 97.7 The Zone and Talk Radio WZZN 97.7 FM HD-2.
Rocket City returns to Toyota Field on Tuesday, July 21, to begin a six-game homestand against the Knoxville Smokies.
Upcoming Promotions:
- Tuesday, July 21 – Tito's Tail Waggin' Tuesday: Bring your pup to Toyota Field for Tito's Tail Waggin' Tuesday, where dogs are welcome in designated seating areas with proceeds benefiting local animal nonprofits.
- Wednesday, July 22 – Adult Football Jersey Giveaway & Wine Wednesday: The first 1,000 fans ages 18 and older receive a Trash Pandas football jersey, and fans can enjoy $5 select wines throughout the ballpark during Wine Wednesday.
- Thursday, July 23 – Throwback Thursday & Singles Night: Celebrate Throwback Thursday with live music from Tequila Falls, $3 domestic draft beers, a Champion Beverage Belt giveaway for the first 1,000 fans, and a fun filled Singles Night at the Rock Porch.
- Friday, July 24 – Pirate & Princess Night: Dress as your favorite pirate or princess for a night of family fun, themed entertainment, and spectacular postgame fireworks.
- Saturday, July 25 – Christmas in July: Celebrate Christmas in July with a Snow Globe Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans, a backpack drive benefiting The Caring Link, and Saturday Night Fireworks.
- Sunday, July 26 – Family Fun Sunday: Wrap up the homestand with pregame player autographs, face painting, and Kids Run the Bases after the game for the perfect family afternoon at Toyota Field.
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.
Fans are reminded that Toyota Field follows MiLB's clear bag policy. Guests are allowed one clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. Small, clear clutches are also permitted. Exceptions will be made for medical needs and parents with infants (diaper bags). Learn more about this policy here.
ABOUT THE ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS
Owned and operated by BallCorps, LLC, the Rocket City Trash Pandas are the proud Double-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels in the Southern League. The Trash Pandas play at state-of-the-art Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama. The organization's mission is to unite our communities by creating positive and lasting memories one experience at a time.