Catfish 6, Savannah 1

From the Columbus Catfish:

Four Catfish Pitchers Limit Savannah to Four Hits in Columbus 6-1 Win
2B Travis Denker's 21st HR of the Season in the Sixth Inning Gives Catfish Lead and Win

COLUMBUS, GA—2B Travis Denker hit a tiebreaking three-run HR in the bottom of the sixth inning and four Catfish pitchers combined on a four-hitter to beat Savannah 6-1 tonight at Golden Park. The Catfish had just one run on two hits into the sixth inning, but Denker's second HR in as many nights and ninth in his last 62 AB gave Columbus the lead and the win tonight. RHP Brian Akin picked up his first win of the season with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and with the win the Catfish took a 2-1 lead in the series with Savannah. CF Ryan Russ and 1B David Nicholson added two hits each for the Catfish, and Nicholson had a pair of RBI. The Catfish improve to 13-14 in the second half with the win (41-55 overall) while Savannah falls to 14-15 in the second half, 45-52 overall in 2005.

RHP Dimas Reina and RHP Chris Malone combined to allow just one run in five innings to start the game on the hill for the Catfish tonight, as each team took a run on two hits into the sixth inning. Savannah starter RHP Jim Henderson retired 11 straight Catfish hitters until Nicholson's one-out single in the sixth. DH Brandon Carter walked on four pitches, and Denker deposited a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left for a three-run blast. Denker has hit 14 HR since June 11th and is fourth in the league with 21 HR. In the eighth inning, Nicholson added a pair of runs to the Catfish total with a two-out double into the left field corner to make it 6-1 Fish.

Akin and RHP Kyle Wilson each pitched two scoreless innings tonight to lead the Catfish to victory. Every Catfish pitcher allowed just one hit and struck out at least two batters. The Catfish induced four double plays off the Sand Gnat bats tonight, including a 6-4-3 double-play groundout to end the game. Tomorrow the Catfish wrap up a seven-game homestand as they finish a four-game set with the Sand Gnats at 2:00 PM. RHP Zach Hammes (3-4, 4.60 ERA) earns the start tomorrow for Columbus against Savannah RHP Chris Goodman.