MADISON, AL — The Rocket City Trash Pandas (32-31, 67-64) rallied from a three-run deficit to defeat the Montgomery Biscuits (33-30, 68-64), 6-4, Sunday night at Toyota Field, scoring five two-out runs over their final two innings, capped by Eddie Micheletti Jr.’s go-ahead two-run double in the eighth. The victory, coupled with Birmingham’s loss at Biloxi, lowered Rocket City’s magic number to five heading into its final regular-season series, a six-game set against the Chattanooga Lookouts beginning Tuesday at Erlanger Park.
The comeback gave the Trash Pandas a winning sendoff in front of 6,044 fans, snapping a four-game skid and completing their regular-season home schedule with a 37-31 record.
Trailing 4-1 entering the seventh, Rocket City finally broke through against the Montgomery bullpen. Andrew Lindsey hit Jake Munroe and Tucker Flint with consecutive pitches before Caleb Bartolero singled to center to load the bases. Lindsey recovered to retire Micheletti and Juan Flores, but Cole Fontenelle delivered a two-out, two-run single to right, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
The Trash Pandas finished the comeback an inning later.
Arjun Nimmala drew a leadoff walk from Biscuits reliever Junior William and advanced to second on Nick Rodríguez’s sacrifice bunt. Munroe’s groundout moved Nimmala to third before Flint walked, putting runners at the corners with two outs.
Bartolero followed with an RBI single to left, scoring Nimmala to tie the game. Micheletti then drove a double to center, bringing home Flint and Bartolero to give Rocket City its first lead of the night, 6-4.
The decisive swing capped a productive finish to the series for Micheletti, who homered Friday and Saturday before delivering Sunday’s game-winner. He finished the six-game set with four hits—all for extra bases—a double, a triple, two home runs and six RBI.
Montgomery threatened in the ninth, putting runners at the corners with one out against Jose Atencio. Chris Cortez entered and walked Bryan Broecker to load the bases before inducing a ground ball from Mac Horvath. Nimmala turned it into a game-ending double play, securing Cortez’s first save of the season.
The late rally reversed a game Montgomery controlled early.
The Biscuits scored three times with two outs in the first against Rocket City starter Eybersson Polanco. After a walk to J.T. Arruda and a single by Theo Gillen, Connor Hujsak drove in both runners with a double to center. Gregory Barrios followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Nimmala answered immediately, leading off the bottom of the first with an inside-the-park home run to left-center. His fourth homer with Rocket City cut the deficit to 3-1 and extended his on-base streak to 14 games. The inside-the-park home run was the third in Trash Pandas history and the first since Kyren Paris on August 2, 2023. Bryce Teodosio hit the club’s first on June 19, 2022, a go-ahead homer at Toyota Field that helped Rocket City clinch the first-half title.
Montgomery starter Garrett Edwards settled in from there, allowing only three hits and one run over six innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk.
The Biscuits added a run in the fifth, loading the bases with one out to end Polanco’s outing. Atencio, making his Trash Pandas debut after arriving from High-A Tri-City on Sunday afternoon, entered and allowed an inherited runner to score on Arruda’s sacrifice fly before retiring Gillen to limit the damage to a 4-1 deficit.
Atencio then gave Rocket City the innings it needed to mount its comeback. The right-hander worked four scoreless frames, allowing three hits and one walk while throwing 35 of his 51 pitches for strikes to earn the victory. Flores helped him erase baserunners by throwing out attempted steals in both the seventh and eighth innings.
Polanco struck out seven over 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks. Bartolero and Fontenelle each collected two hits, while Flint scored twice.
Following Monday’s off day, Rocket City opens its final regular-season series Tuesday at Erlanger Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT, with Rocket City sending RHP Tyler Bremner (2-2, 3.60) to the mound for the series opener. Fans can stream the game on 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.
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.
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.