Behind Bremner, Bartolero, Trash Pandas Pull Away From Barons, 6-2, on Saturday

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Rocket City Trash Pandas (30-26, 65-59) scored five runs in the fourth inning and received another strong start from Angels top pitching prospect Tyler Bremner to defeat the Birmingham Barons (28-28, 54-71), 6-2, Saturday night at Regions Field. The win gave Rocket City a 3-2 lead in the six-game series, guaranteeing at least a split with Birmingham. Coupled with Knoxville's loss Saturday, the Trash Pandas regained a 1.5-game lead over the Smokies for first place in the Southern League North Division second-half standings while moving two games ahead of the Barons.

Birmingham struck first against Bremner (W, 2-2) in the bottom of the first. Dylan Campbell singled before Alec Briley drove him home with a one-out triple, giving the Barons a 1-0 lead. Bremner escaped further trouble and settled in from there, allowing just one more hit over the remainder of his outing.

Rocket City answered with three consecutive two-out hits in the second. Caleb Bartolero singled, and Anthony Scull followed with a base hit before Randy De Jesus lined an RBI single to left, bringing home Bartolero to even the game at 1-1.

The Trash Pandas broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning. Scull started the rally with a double and scored on Juan Flores' RBI double. Mac McCroskey followed with an RBI single to give Rocket City a 3-1 advantage. After Arjun Nimmala and Jake Munroe walked to load the bases, Jacob Cozart drew a bases-loaded walk before Bartolero capped the inning with a two-run single to center for a 6-1 lead.

All five runs in the inning scored with two outs, continuing a trend for the Trash Pandas throughout the series. Of Rocket City's 31 runs through the first five games in Birmingham, 23 have scored with two outs.

Bremner made the lead stand, retiring eight of the final nine hitters he faced and striking out the side in order in the fifth. The right-hander finished with a Double-A career-high eight strikeouts, allowing one run on two hits with two walks over five innings. Over his last two starts, Bremner has two wins and allowed just one run on four hits across 11.0 innings, striking out 16 against only two walks. Saturday's victory improved him to 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA for Rocket City.

Birmingham scored its only other run in the seventh against Lucas Mahlstedt, but Nicolo Pinazzi entered with the bases loaded and two outs and struck out Caleb Bonemer to escape the jam. Pinazzi retired all seven batters he faced over 2.1 perfect innings, striking out three to earn his first save of the season. Rocket City pitching held Birmingham to five hits while recording 12 strikeouts. Pinazzi ran his minor-league-leading streak to 41.1 innings and 29 games.

Bartolero continued his torrid series by going 2-for-5 with two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to nine games. He is now 13-for-24 (.542) with seven RBIs through the first five games of the series. Scull and Cozart also collected two hits as the Trash Pandas finished with 11 hits, giving them 53 through five games at Regions Field.

Saturday's victory also secured an important potential postseason tiebreaker for Rocket City. The Trash Pandas improved to 8-6 against Birmingham during the second half, guaranteeing a winning second-half head-to-head record against the Barons with only Sunday's regular-season series finale remaining. Should the teams finish tied in the second-half standings, Rocket City now owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Trash Pandas and Barons wrap up their series on Sunday at Regions Field with the finale of the six-game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm, with the Trash Pandas turning to RHP Eybersson Polanco (5-7, 3.74) for the start, while Birmingham will counter with RHP Juan Carela (0-2, 4.30). 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.