Clinch delayed, Charleston edges Catfish

With their "magic number" at 1, the Columbus Catfish will have to wait at least a day before claiming the 2nd half Southern Division title. The Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees) edged the Catfish 4-3 tonight.

Charleston pitcher Paul Patterson pitched 6 no-hit innings, leaving the game up 3-0, before the Catfish fought back.

With 1 out in the 7th, 2B Seth Dhaenens walked, then scored when 1B Matt Fields doubled, for both the Catfish first hit and first run.

Down 3-1, the Catfish allowed another run in the top of the 9th, and that run made the difference.

In the bottom of the 9th, with 1 out, Royster doubled then moved to third on a ground out by Dhaenens. Fields then homered, cutting the lead to 4-3, but that's as close as the Catfish could get.

The loss cut the Catfish division lead to 3-1/2 games with 4 games left.

Charleston hosts Rome in a 4-game series to close the regular season, while the Catfish travel to Savannah for 4 games. Any Catfish win ... or Charleston loss ... in the next 4 games gives the Catfish the 2nd half title and a spot in the playoffs.