Catfish Topple Rome

Almost didn't go the Catfish game Thursday night. It's been a long week, and I have a busy day tomorrow. But, at the last minute, I decided to make the trip anyway.

I'm glad I did.

The Catfish beat the Rome Braves, 4-1. I'm sure my being there helped.

1B Matt Fields was 3-for-3, falling a triple short of the cycle, to lead the Catfish with 2 RBIs. Why was he a triple short of the cycle? Because he only had 3 plate appearances. 3B Cesar Suarez was 2-for-4 with a double. C Nevin Ashley and LF Ryan Royster were the only other Catfish to have hits. Each had a single.

The Catfish got on the board in the 2nd inning when Fields hit a 2-run shot over the right-center field wall. Rome closed the gap with a run in the 5th. An unearned run in the 7th and an insurance run in the 8th gave the Catfish a 4-1 lead.

Starter Woods Fines went 6-1/3 innings, allowing a run on 4 hits, with 3 walks and 3 Ks, and picked up his 2nd win. Brian Baker pitched the other 2-2/3 innings and earned his 2nd save.

The Catfish escaped a couple of close calls. Rome left the bases loaded in the 6th and 7th innings. They also left a runner on third in the 4th.

The win gives the Catfish the series, 3 games to 1. They've now beaten Rome 7 of 8 times this season.

Friday night, the Catfish open a short 3-game series with the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees) Friday night.