Three Rocket City Trash Pandas pitchers combined for a historic no-hitter against the Birmingham Barons, helping Rocket City reclaim the top spot in the Southern League North Division.
Three pitchers deliver a historic night
According to online reports, Austin Gordon, Lucas Mahlstedt and Camden Minacci combined for the no-hitter on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Gordon handled most of the game and dominated from the mound. He threw seven scoreless innings, allowed no walks and struck out eight batters.
He faced just 22 batters during his outing. An error in the seventh inning marked the only blemish on his performance.
Mahlstedt entered for the eighth inning and quickly retired all three batters. Then, Minacci took the mound for the final inning.
Minacci allowed a one-out walk but retired the next two batters to complete the no-hitter.
A rare feat for the Trash Pandas
The performance marked the third no-hitter in Trash Pandas history. It also became only the second no-hitter in the Southern League this season.
Rocket City recorded its previous no-hitter on April 8, 2023. Coleman Crow, Ben Joyce and Eric Torres combined to shut down Chattanooga that night.
However, Chattanooga still won that game 7-5.
The franchise recorded its first no-hitter on Sept. 3, 2022. Chase Silseth, Luke Murphy and Torres combined to blank Biloxi in an 8-0 victory.
No-hitter puts Rocket City back on top
The historic pitching performance also delivered an important boost in the standings.
The win gave the Trash Pandas their fifth shutout of the season. It also moved Rocket City back into first place in the Southern League North Division second-half standings.
Rocket City now holds a half-game lead over Knoxville and sits one game ahead of Birmingham.
The Trash Pandas will continue their six-game series against the Barons on Thursday night in Birmingham. Afterward, Rocket City returns home for its final regular-season homestand from Sept. 1-6, with the Montgomery Biscuits coming to Toyota Field.
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