Catfish snap losing streak, blank Savannah

Catfish celebrate after breaking minor league baseball's longest losing streak of 2008.

It's been so long, I almost forgot what it felt like.

Winning a baseball game.

The Columbus Catfish broke a 12-game losing streak today, beating the Savannah Sand Gnats (Mets) 2-0 in front of a crowd of 1,416, most of whom were school-age kids.

It was a day game, and several local children's care centers had outings at the ball park today. And they saw a good game.

Catfish starter Jesse Darcy had his longest outing of the year, 6 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3 en route to his first win of the season. Justin Garcia pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 hit. Austin Hinkle pitched a perfect 9th to notch his 3rd save.

In the 4th inning, the Catfish put up the only runs of the game. CF Maiko Loyola fouled off 6 pitches before coaxing a walk out of Savannah starter Edgar Ramirez. He stole 2nd, and came home on 3B Greg Sexton's double down the left field line. Sexton later scored when DH Stephen Vogt reached on an error; despite the error, it was an earned run.

That was it as far as the offense was concerned. After the 4th inning, the Catfish didn't get another hit in the game. But the Catfish bullpen held up, snapping the longest losing streak in minor league baseball in 2008.

The series ends tomorrow night, with the Catfish in position to earn a split with Savannah.