CHATTANOOGA, TN — The Rocket City Trash Pandas (33-31, 68-64) matched a season high with four home runs, including a 431-foot shot from Arjun Nimmala, to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts (21-43, 58-75), 11-6, Tuesday night at Erlanger Park. The victory lowered Rocket City’s magic number to clinch a playoff berth to four with five games remaining in the final regular-season series.
Nimmala homered for the second straight game following his inside-the-park home run in Sunday’s home finale and extended his on-base streak to 15 games. Caleb Bartolero, Tucker Flint and Cole Fontenelle also homered.
Rocket City struck first with another two-out rally in the opening inning. Jake Munroe doubled, and Jacob Cozart walked before Bartolero launched a three-run homer to left off Chattanooga starter Luke Hayden (L, 1-2). His seventh home run with the Trash Pandas gave Rocket City an early 3-0 lead.
Flint extended the advantage to 4-0 in the fourth with a solo homer to right, his 13th of the season. The blast also pushed his franchise single-season RBI record to 66.
Making his fifth Rocket City start, Angels top pitching prospect Tyler Bremner held Chattanooga hitless through three innings while striking out five. The Lookouts broke through in the fourth, however, as Carter Graham singled and scored on Alfredo Duno’s triple before Ruben Ibarra hit a two-run homer to cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Trash Pandas answered immediately with three runs in the fifth. Fontenelle led off with his sixth homer, a solo shot to right, before Anthony Scull and Nimmala followed with singles. Nick Rodríguez’s sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, and each scored on a separate wild pitch by Hayden to make it 7-3.
Chattanooga continued to chip away. Austin Hendrick homered to open the bottom of the fifth, and Bremner departed with one out and two runners aboard. Camden Minacci (W, 5-4) entered and induced an inning-ending double play from Duno to preserve the 7-4 lead.
Bremner struck out eight for the third consecutive start, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He threw 51 of his 86 pitches for strikes.
The Lookouts drew within one in the sixth. Ibarra walked, and Carlos Sanchez doubled before Yerlin Confidan’s RBI single and Hendrick’s run-scoring fielder’s choice made it 7-6. Lucas Mahlstedt replaced Minacci with two outs and two aboard, walked Michael Trautwein to load the bases, then retired Graham on a grounder to escape with the lead.
Rocket City put the game away with four runs in the seventh.
Nimmala opened the inning by driving Nate Peterson’s pitch 431 feet to left-center for his fifth Trash Pandas home run. Munroe added a single, and two-out walks to Bartolero and Flint loaded the bases. Eddie Micheletti Jr. drew another walk from Taylor Floyd to force in a run before Fontenelle delivered a two-run single to center, stretching the advantage to 11-6.
Mahlstedt followed with a scoreless seventh, finishing with 1.1 hitless innings, two walks and a strikeout to earn his ninth hold. Nicolo Pinazzi handled the final two innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three. Mahlstedt and Pinazzi combined to keep Chattanooga scoreless over the final 3.1 innings.
Minacci earned the victory despite allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in 1.1 innings. Rocket City’s four pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.
Nimmala, Munroe and Fontenelle each collected two hits, while Bartolero and Fontenelle drove in three runs apiece. Seven of the Trash Pandas’ nine RBI came with two outs.
Rocket City continues its final regular-season series Wednesday at Erlanger Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT, with Rocket City sending RHP Austin Gordon (8-7, 4.41) against RHP Javier Rivera (4-9, 6.67) for the Lookout. Fans can stream the game on Bally Sports Live, MiLB, or MiLB.TV. You can listen on ESPN 97.7 The Zone and Talk Radio WZZN 97.7 FM HD-2.
Playoff Tickets On Sale Now:
Tickets are on sale now for potential Trash Pandas playoff games at Toyota Field, presented by Parsons, including the North Division Series opener against Knoxville on September 15 at 6:35 pm and up to two Southern League Championship Series games, should Rocket City advance. Fans can purchase tickets HERE, at the Wicks Family Foundation Box Office or by calling (256) 325-1403.