Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Grand Slam In 10th Gives Catfish Win

LF Ryan Royster drove in all 7 runs for the Columbus Catfish, including 4 on a grand slam home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, to propel the Catfish to a 7-4 win over the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees) tonight.

Down 1-0 going into the 4th inning, the Catfish took the lead when Royster hit a bases-loaded double that drove in 3 runs. CF Desmond Jennings doubled to start the frame. He moved to third on an infield single by 2B Joey Callender, but was thrown out at home on a ground ball to third base. With 1 out, DH Nevin Ashley singled to load the bases and set the stage for Royster's 3-run double. It could have been worse, but Royster was thrown out at home when he was sent home on a single by RF Quinn Stewart.

A Charleston home run in the 5th narrowed it to 3-2, then a 9th inning homer tied the game, handing starting P Josh Butler a no-decision. He had allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, and was in line to pick up his 4th win before Charleston sent the game to extra innings.

In the 10th, SS Jairo De La Rosa walked, as did Jennings. After Charleston changed pitchers, Callender sacrificed both runners over. 3B Cesar Suarez was intentionally walked to set up a potential double play. Ashley reached on a fielder's choice when De La Rosa was thrown out at home by Charleston 3B Mitch Hilligoss. Royster then ended the game on his grand slam to left field.

Hilligoss extended his pro baseball-leading hitting streak to 29 games in a losing cause for the visitors.

Jennings was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate for the Catfish, reaching base 5 times on 3 singles, a double, and a walk.

Reliever Neal Frontz was unable to pick up his 7th save, instead being charged with his 4th blown save, but picked up the win, his 2nd, after Royster's winning shot.

The Catfish can record their first sweep of Charleston with a win tomorrow night. They are in 2nd place in the SAL South Division, a game behind Augusta, who lost to West Virginia tonight.

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