Friday, June 29, 2007

Catfish Sweep Rome, In First Place

For the 19th time this season, the Columbus Catfish have beaten the Rome Braves. Tonight, Heath Rollins scattered 7 hits over 7 innings, striking out 6 as he notched his 8th win of the season in the Catfish' 4-2 win over Rome.

Joey Callender singled to center field in the 2nd inning, scoring Ryan Royster, who had led off the inning with a single, and moved to third on another single by Matt Fields.

The lead held until the 5th inning, when Rome tied the game. Rome took the lead, 2-1, in the 7th inning, threatening to ruin the night for Rollins.

The 8th inning proved the difference in the game. With 1 out, John Matulia singled, bringing on a pitching change. Cesar Suarez reached on an error that left Matulia at third. Nevin Ashley was unable to bring Matulia home when Rome 3B Robert Marcial threw him out trying to score on Ashley's ground ball to third. Royster hit his team-leading 14th home run of the season, a 3-run shot that put the Catfish up 4-2.

Ryan Reid came in to pitch the final two innings for the Catfish, and set down all 6 batters he faced, striking out 4 of them, as he earned his 6th save.

Royster and Matulia each had 2 hits for the Catfish. Six other Catfish batters recorded singles.

The Catfish have won 5 in a row, including the last 4 against Rome. The Catfish and Lake County ... the former Columbus RedStixx ... have the longest current winning streak in the South Atlantic League. The win, plus losses by Asheville, Greenville, and Charleston leaves the Catfish alone at the top of the Southern Division of the SAL in the 2nd half.

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