MADISON, AL — Eybersson Polanco retired all 15 batters he faced over 5.0 perfect innings before the Rocket City Trash Pandas (27-24, 62-57) used a four-run sixth to pull away for an 8-1 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers (21-30, 56-60) on Sunday afternoon in front of 3,642 fans on Lunáticos Day at Toyota Field.
The victory gave Rocket City five wins in the six-game series, marking the first time this season the Trash Pandas have gone 5-1 in a series. Combined with Knoxville's loss at Pensacola on Sunday, Rocket City moved a half-game ahead of the Smokies for first place in the Southern League North Division with three weeks and 18 games remaining in the regular season. The Trash Pandas also remain one game ahead of Birmingham in the race for the North Division wild card should they not win the second half title.
Rocket City has now won three of its last four series overall.
Polanco (W, 5-7) set the tone from the outset. The right-hander needed just 55 pitches to navigate 5.0 perfect innings, retiring all 15 Shuckers he faced while striking out two, working through three of his five innings on 10 pitches or fewer.
The Trash Pandas gave him an early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first. Arjun Nimmala drew a leadoff walk before Anthony Scull reached on a fielder's choice. Jake Munroe followed with a walk, extending his on-base streak to 36 consecutive games.
Caleb Bartolero opened the scoring with a single to center that brought home Scull. Eddie Micheletti Jr. then lined a single to right to score Munroe, with a Biloxi error allowing both Micheletti and Bartolero to advance an extra base and giving Rocket City a 2-0 advantage.
Biloxi starter J.D. Thompson settled in from there, keeping the Trash Pandas off the board over the next four innings. Rocket City managed three hits during that stretch but was unable to add to the lead.
The Shuckers finally broke through against reliever Lucas Mahlstedt in the sixth. Mark Coley II doubled for Biloxi's first hit of the afternoon before moving to third on a groundout. Jheremy Vargas then singled to center to bring him home and cut Rocket City's lead to 2-1. Mahlstedt prevented any further damage, retiring the next two hitters to strand a pair of runners.
Rocket City answered immediately — and emphatically — with a four-run, two-out rally in the bottom of the inning.
After the first two hitters were retired, De Jesus drew a walk, and Cole Fontenelle drove him home with a double to center. Mac McCroskey followed with an RBI double to left to make it 4-1.
Nimmala walked and, after a wild pitch, Scull lined an RBI single to right. Munroe then drove in Nimmala with a single to center, capping the four-run frame and stretching the advantage to 6-1. All four runs came with two outs.
The Trash Pandas added two more in the seventh. Micheletti led off the inning with a double before De Jesus launched a two-run homer to left-center for his first home run with Rocket City, and 20th overall this season, extending the lead to 8-1.
De Jesus finished 2-for-3 with a double, home run, walk, two runs scored and two RBI to lead the Rocket City offense. Scull and Micheletti each added two hits, while seven different Trash Pandas drove in a run. Rocket City finished with 11 hits, four doubles and seven walks while going 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Munroe went 1-for-4 with a walk, RBI and run scored as his on-base streak reached 36 games, which is the third-longest active streak in Minor League Baseball.
Mahlstedt allowed one run over two innings before Bryce Osmond worked two scoreless frames to close out the victory—the three Rocket City pitchers combined to hold Biloxi to four hits without issuing a walk.
The first-place Trash Pandas will take Monday off before opening a massive series on the road in Birmingham on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm with RHP Nate Snead (3-5, 3.99) starting for Rocket City. The Barons have not announced a starting pitcher. 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.