MADISON, Ala. — Rocket City opened Saturday’s doubleheader on the right track with a 3-2 win over the Barons in game one.
Trash Pandas infielder Kyren Paris drove in the first run as his fielder’s choice drove in outfielder Nelson Rada who got to third after a stolen base and a wild throw.
Rocket City flexed its muscles in the next inning as outfielders Tucker Flint and Gustavo Campero hit back-to-back homers extending the lead to three off Barons starting pitcher Connor McCullough (L, 1-1).
The first home run of the season for both players was the first time the Trash Pandas had back-to-back home runs in a game since August 17 of last season when Jose Gomez and Gabe Matthews accomplished the feat.
Trash Pandas starting pitcher Brett Kerry kept the Barons silent with four shutout innings and seven strikeouts.
Hayden Seig (W, 1-0) took over for Kerry on the mound and tossed two scoreless innings.
Birmingham got into the run column for the first time in the seventh as outfielder Terrell Tatum doubled to bring a runner home.
Tatum came around to score after a single from infielder Brooks Baldwin to cut the Trash Pandas lead to one.
Ben Joyce (S, 1) locked things down from there as he stranded the tying run at third, giving the Trash Pandas a game one victory.
Following the victory in game one, the Trash Pandas couldn't find the same success in the second game, falling 9-3 to the Barons on Saturday.
After sitting in game one, Birmingham catcher Edgar Quero picked up where he left off with his third two-run home run of the series in the first to get the Barons in front.
Outfielder Terrell Tatum kept the Barons hot start going with a single to score two in the second followed by a run-scoring base hit from designated hitter Wilfred Veras.
With the bases loaded later in the inning, Quero got hit by a pitch to give the Barons an early 6-0 lead.
Trash Pandas starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz (L, 0-1) left the game shortly after. He allowed six runs on five hits in 1.1 innings.
Rocket City got on the board in the fourth when outfielder Gustavo Campero was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
That was all the Trash Pandas would get on starting pitcher Jairo Iriarte before Juan Then (W, 1-0), took over in relief and tossed two innings of his own.
Tatum continued his impressive day with a two-run home run in the sixth before infielder Bryan Ramos got hit with the bases loaded to drive in another.
Outfielder Tucker Flint got a run back in the bottom half with a double to score infielder Eric Wagaman, the hit would be the first of the night for the Trash Pandas.
Rocket City attempted a late rally in the seventh, Wagaman drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, but nothing came after as the Trash Pandas split the doubleheader.
The Trash Pandas and Barons will close their six-game series on Sunday for 4 x 4 Night presented by Boeing.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
