Catfish edged by Augusta

The Augusta Greenjackets (Giants) edged the Columbus Catfish 4-3 tonight in the 1st game of a 4-game series.

Augusta jumped to a 3-0 lead, thanks to 2 in the 1st and 1 in the 4th, but the Catfish tied it up with a 3-run 5th.

With 1 out in the 5th, 1B Stephen Vogt singled, moved to third on a double by C Ian Paxton, and scored with 2B Omar Luna hit a 2-run single left. Luna scored on SS Shawn O'Malley's RBI single to right, tying the game at 3.

It stayed that way until the 8th, when Augusta punched the winning run across.

RF Maiko Loyola was 3-for-4 to lead all batters. Luna had 2 hits for the Catfish.

Starter Glenn Gibson allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, striking out 6 in the no-decision. Travis Barnett went 2 innings, allowing 2 hits and notching 4 Ks. Justin Garcia pitched the 8th, allowing the winning run on a walk and a hit. He was tagged with his 3rd loss of the season.

The win was the 8th straight by Augusta. The loss was the 7th in the last 10 games for the Catfish. The series continues Thursday night in Augusta.