Catfish Lose Third Straight, Drop To Third Place

The Columbus Catfish lost again to the Rome Braves this afternoon, falling short in a late-inning comeback by an 8-6 score.

The early innings were again the problem for the Catfish, falling behind 4-0, then 8-2 after three innings. A Russ Mitchell 2-run homer closed the gap in the fifth inning, while a single by Russ and a fielder's choice by Andrew Locke each scored a run in the ninth. The rally ended when Braves pitcher Stephen Russell got Eduardo Perez to ground out to end the game.

Although both the Catfish and the Asheville Tourists are both 5 ½ games behind Rome, the Tourists are percentage points ahead of the Catfish, causing Columbus to fall out of second place for the first time in two weeks.

The 4-game series with Rome and the 8-game road trip conclude tomorrow night.