BIRMINGHAM, AL —The Rocket City Trash Pandas (29-25, 64-58) erupted for four runs in the ninth inning, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Cole Fontenelle and Anthony Scull, to rally past the Birmingham Barons (27-27, 53-70), 7-4, on Thursday night at Regions Field. The comeback gave Rocket City its second victory in 50 games this season when trailing after eight innings and pushed the Trash Pandas’ lead in the Southern League North Division second-half standings to 1.5 games over Knoxville and 2.0 games over Birmingham.
Rocket City struck first with one swing in the opening inning. Arjun Nimmala doubled to left, and Nick Rodríguez drew a walk before Caleb Bartolero launched a three-run homer to right, his sixth of the season and first in August, giving the Trash Pandas an early 3-0 advantage.
Birmingham steadily worked its way back against Rocket City starter Lucas Knowles. Jorge Corona hit a solo homer in the second and tripled home another run in the fourth, trimming Rocket City’s lead to 3-2. Knowles departed with one out remaining in the fifth after walking Caleb Bonemer, and Alec Briley greeted José Gonzalez with a two-run homer to right, putting the Barons ahead 4-3.
Knowles allowed three runs on four hits over 4.2 innings, walking two and striking out four. Gonzalez followed with 2.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three.
The Birmingham bullpen kept Rocket City quiet through the middle innings, retiring 11 consecutive Trash Pandas at one point and carrying the 4-3 lead into the ninth.
That changed quickly.
Tucker Flint doubled to center with one out against Birmingham closer Jonathan Clark, and Eddie Micheletti Jr. followed with a single to left to score Flint and tie the game at 4-4. Fontenelle then turned the game around completely, launching a two-run homer to right-center for a 6-4 Rocket City lead.
Scull followed on the very next pitch sequence with a solo homer to center, giving the Trash Pandas their first back-to-back home runs of the season and extending the advantage to 7-4. Fontenelle and Scull each hit their fourth home run of the year.
Nicolo Pinazzi (W, 2-0) earned the victory after continuing his dominant run out of the bullpen. The left-hander worked 1.1 hitless innings with three strikeouts, stranding a runner in the seventh before working around a walk in the eighth. Pinazzi has gone 27 straight appearances without allowing an earned run since May 21, spanning 39.0 innings across three levels. He has struck out 72.
Kenyon Yovan took over with the three-run lead in the ninth and retired Birmingham in order, striking out José Colmenares and Jordan Sprinkle to earn his 14th save of the season.
Bartolero finished 2-for-4 with the three-run homer, while Nimmala also collected two hits, including a double. Flint doubled and scored the tying run in the ninth, Micheletti drove him home, and Fontenelle and Scull supplied the decisive back-to-back blasts. Rocket City finished with eight hits, three home runs and seven runs.
The victory continued an offensive surge for the Trash Pandas, who have collected 35 hits and scored 23 runs through the first three games of the series at Regions Field. Jake Munroe’s franchise-record on-base streak came to an end at 38 games after an 0-for-4 night. Munroe had reached safely in every game dating back to July 4.
After entering Birmingham with just a half-game lead in the playoff race, Rocket City has won two straight following Tuesday’s series-opening loss and now sits 1.5 games ahead of Knoxville for first place and 2.0 games ahead of Birmingham.
The Trash Pandas and Barons meet again on Thursday night at Regions Field for game three of the six-game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm with the Trash Pandas turning to RHP Kyle Robinson (1-2, 7.22) for the start, while Birmingham will counter with RHP Shane Murphy (4-1, 3.21). Fans can watch Bally Sports Live, MiLB, or MiLB.TV. The game can be heard on ESPN 97.7 The Zone and Talk Radio WZZN 97.7 FM HD-2.
Upcoming Promotions at Toyota Field:
vs. Montgomery | September 1-6
- Tuesday, September 1: Tito's Tail Waggin' Tuesday featuring Educator Appreciation Night and $1 hot dogs throughout the game.
- Wednesday, September 2: Wine Wednesday featuring $5 select red, white, and rosé wines throughout Toyota Field.
- Thursday, September 3: Hit for the Cycle Night featuring a Sprocket Bike Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 1,500 fans, plus Throwback Thursday specials and live music.
- Friday, September 4: Huntsville Havoc Night featuring a special crossover with the Havoc and Friday Night Fireworks following the game.
- Saturday, September 5: Japanese Heritage Night featuring a 2027 Magnet Schedule Giveaway for the first 5,000 fans, a community donation drive, and Saturday Night Fireworks.
- Sunday, September 6: The regular-season home finale featuring a Building Block Sprocket Giveaway for the first 1,500 fans, pregame autographs, face painting, Kids Run the Bases and postgame fireworks.
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.