Catfish Drop Another

For the third night in a row, a big inning did in the Columbus Catfish, as they fell to the West Virginia Power (Brewers).

The Catfish took an early lead on 3B Russ Mitchell's leadoff homer in the 2nd inning. However, the lead didn't last. In the bottom of the 2nd, West Virginia DH Kenneth Holmberg hit a 3-run home run to give the home team the lead for good.

In the 4th, Catfish starter James McDonald got two quick strikeouts before things fell apart. Back-to-back singles followed by Kenneth Holmberg's second 3-run homer were followed up by a single, then a hit batsman, and RF Lorenzo Cain's 2-run double, and West Virginia had an 8-1 lead.

In the 6th, Catfish 2B Travis Denker walked, moved to second on Russ Mitchell grounder to the mound, and to third on a passed ball. RF Lucas May doubled, scoring Denker, and making it 8-2.

The Catfish managed to get a baserunner in every inning, but were unable to punch across more than two runs. In all, the Catfish stranded 7 runners on base, but only two in scoring position.

CF Bridger Hunt was 2-for-4 with a triple and a single. LF Adam Godwin was 2-for-4 with two singles. RF Lucal May's RBI double extended his road hitting streak to 20 games.

McDonald was hit with his 10th loss, most on the team, despite having the lowest ERA of the starters going into the game. Kale Garrison pitched 3 inning of relief, scattering 4 hits. Jordan Pratt pitched a perfect 8th for the Catfish.

The loss was the third in a row for the Catfish, and the 9th in the last 11 games. The series with West Virginia, the only meeting this season between the two teams, concludes Saturday night before they head to Lexington, KY for 4 games against the Legends (Astros).