COLUMBUS, Ga. — Ryan Costeiu struck out eight over 5.2 innings, and the Rocket City bullpen retired all 10 batters it faced as the Trash Pandas (16-16, 51-49) held off the Columbus Clingstones (16-16, 45-51) for a 3-2 victory on Saturday night at Synovus Park. Jake Munroe recorded another multi-hit game and extended the longest active on-base streak in the Southern League to 21 games.
Rocket City scored all three of its runs over the first three innings before Costeiu and three relievers protected the one-run lead. The victory gave the Trash Pandas a 3-2 advantage in the six-game series and guaranteed at least a split heading into Sunday's finale.
The Trash Pandas scored first for the first time in the series, striking against Columbus starter Shay Schanaman in the opening inning. Raudi Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk before Nick Rodriguez singled to right, placing runners at the corners. After a strikeout, Tucker Flint lined an RBI double to right to bring home Raudi Rodriguez and give Rocket City a 1-0 lead.
Costeiu (W, 7-7) opened his outing by striking out four of the first six batters he faced, retiring Columbus in order in each of the first two innings. The right-hander worked around a one-out walk and passed ball in the third, ending the inning with his fifth strikeout to keep the Clingstones off the scoreboard.
Rocket City extended its lead in the third. Nick Rodriguez opened the inning with his second hit of the night and stole second before Jake Munroe lined an RBI double to left. The hit extended Munroe's on-base streak to 21 games, the longest active streak in the Southern League.
Schanaman departed after Flint struck out with one out, and Caleb Bartolero greeted reliever Riley Frey with a two-out RBI single to left, scoring Munroe and extending the Trash Pandas' advantage to 3-0. Schanaman (L, 4-5) allowed three runs on four hits and one walk over 2.1 innings, striking out three.
Columbus broke through against Costeiu in the fourth when Luke Waddell opened the inning with a solo home run to right-center, his second homer in as many nights and eighth of the season. Costeiu recovered by retiring the next three batters, including two by strikeout, to preserve a 3-1 lead.
Munroe singled and stole second in the fifth but was stranded, while Costeiu worked around a one-out walk in the bottom half. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. struck out before Keshawn Ogans grounded into a forceout to end the inning.
The Clingstones pulled within one in the sixth. Dalton McIntyre opened the inning with a triple into the right-field corner and scored on Waddell's groundout to second, cutting Rocket City's lead to 3-2. Costeiu struck out Jordan Groshans before Carson Taylor singled to center, bringing the potential tying run aboard.
Carlos Espinosa entered and struck out Archer Brookman to strand Taylor and end the inning. Costeiu finished with a season-high-tying eight strikeouts while allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. The quality start was his second consecutive outing allowing two runs or fewer after permitting one run over 5.0 innings against Knoxville on July 26. It also marked a sharp turnaround from his first two starts against Columbus, when he allowed 10 earned runs over 5.2 combined innings.
Espinosa (H, 1) walked Will Verdung to begin the seventh but struck out the next two batters before getting Ogans to end the inning. The right-hander retired all four batters charged to him, recording three strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Chris Cortez (H, 6) followed with a perfect eighth, needing just nine pitches to retire McIntyre, Waddell, and Groshans. The outing extended Rocket City's bullpen streak to 3.1 consecutive hitless innings after Espinosa stranded the inherited runner in the sixth.
The Trash Pandas had an opportunity to add insurance in the ninth when David Calabrese singled with two outs and stole second. Mac McCroskey drew a walk, but Luis Vargas retired Raudi Rodriguez on a flyout to end the threat.
Camden Minacci (S, 1) entered in the bottom of the ninth and struck out Taylor and Brookman before Adam Zebrowski flew out to Calabrese in left, completing a perfect inning and earning his first save of the season. Espinosa, Cortez, and Minacci combined for 3.1 scoreless and hitless innings with five strikeouts, allowing only one walk.
Munroe finished 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, run scored, and stolen base, recording his 12th multi-hit game in 31 contests with Rocket City. Nick Rodriguez also went 2-for-4 with a run and stolen base, while Flint and Bartolero drove in the other two runs. The Trash Pandas collected eight hits and finished 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position while holding Columbus to three hits and an 0-for-2 mark with runners in scoring position.
The Trash Pandas go for the series win in Columbus on Sunday afternoon at Synovus Park for the finale of a six-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT, with RHP Eybersson Polanco (4-6, 3.42) starting for Rocket City, while Columbus will send out LHP Julio Robaina (3-3, 2.97). 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.
Upcoming Promotions at Toyota Field:
- Tuesday, August 4: Tito's Tail Waggin' Tuesday welcomes fans and their dogs to Toyota Field, with proceeds benefiting local animal nonprofits. It's also Jimothy Night, where the first 200 kids will receive a Jimothy Raccoon mask while supplies last.
- Wednesday, August 5: Bookworm Night, presented by Marx Optical, plus Wine Wednesday featuring $5 select wines.
- Thursday, August 6: Grateful Dead Night featuring live music by Milltowne, Throwback Thursday with $3 domestic draft beers, and the first-ever postgame drone show at Toyota Field.
- Friday, August 7: You Are Not Alone Night followed by Friday Night Fireworks.
- Saturday, August 8: Space Night featuring specialty jerseys, a game-worn jersey auction, and Space Night Fireworks.
- Sunday, August 9: PAW Patrol Day featuring a special appearance by Chase, a jersey auction, pregame player autographs, face painting, and Kids Run the Bases after the game.
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.