Catfish split double header, take series with Greensboro

The Columbus Catfish closed out a 7-game home stand, winning 5 of the 7 games, including a split in a double header this evening.

Four of the games in the home stand were 7-inning contests, thanks to the weather. Minor League Baseball rules call for scheduled double headers to be 7-inning games. And the weather washed out games Friday and Sunday, causing Saturday and Monday makeups as double headers, including today's split.

Today, the Catfish lost game one to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins), 3-1, but won the nightcap, 2-1.

Catfish take two from Greensboro, take over first place

When the Columbus Catfish last played -- a loss to Kannapolis -- on Wednesday, they were in second place.

A couple of rainouts later, the Catfish find themselves all alone in first place.

Of course, it wasn't just the rainouts. It was losses by other teams ... and a Saturday night double-header sweep of the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins).

Kannapolis cleans Catfish' clock

After edging the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) two nights straight, tonight's game wasn't close.

Kannapolis beat the Columbus Catfish 6-1, behind the power of Mark Fleisher, who hit two home runs and drove in 5 runs.

Drive offs will be shot

Photo: WTVM

So, how are you handling the rise in gas prices?

There's one guy in Macon County, Alabama, that's having to deal with people stopping at his store, getting gas, then driving off.

Now, a lot of you might be wondering why there'd be drive offs if folks have to pay first.

The thing is, folks down here in this part of the country aren't all that used to paying first. The whole idea of driving off without paying for gas is, for many, many people ... folks that were raised right, anyway ... is unthinkable.

But there's plenty of folks that weren't raised right. They'll drive off.

And there's more and more of them down here. Some are born here and ain't raised right. Others come here from other areas ... and weren't raised right.

Bottom line is, there's folks driving off.

We don't like that down here. It's unacceptable. And some folks will do something about it.

Like the guy in Macon County, Alabama, that I mentioned.

He runs T & K Quick Stop on Alabama highway 199.

And, he's insisting that folks have to pay before they pump.

But, just in case someone manages to get gas without paying, and if they try to drive off, he's got something for them.

According to WTVM in Columbus, he'll bust a cap in their ass:

The gas station and country store beckons travelers to fill up with gas and buy a coke on a hot summer day. Owner Terence Merchant says southern hospitality is the cornerstone of his store, and so is what some call southern justice. He's posted a sign on all of his gas pumps warning those who might try to get gas without paying.

"The sign says, pay before you pump and drive offs will be shot at. I have a gun inside - yes - and I don't want to but I'm prepared to use it. I was outside and the guy disrespected me, by driving off so I'm just putting out a little warning," explained Merchant.

Since posting the signs about four months ago, Merchant hasn't had one gas drive off. Most of his customers appreciate what Merchant is trying to do and are happy to obey.

The news report questions whether or not the law would be on Merchant's side. I guess that depends on who'd be on the grand jury.

But, if you think he's wrong, and decide to pull a stunt like driving off from his station without paying for your gas, consider that he might end up being arrested.

Which would mean that folks would be saying about you, "Sure looks natural, don't he?"

I don't think it's worth it.

And, if I was on a grand jury, I'd fail to indict him.

Catfish beat Kannapolis again

Another late-inning win for the Columbus Catfish tonight.

Last night, a walk-off home in the bottom of the 9th gave the Catfish a win. Tonight, a run in the 8th broke a tie, giving the Catfish a win.

That's got to break the hearts of the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox). But the fact that tonight's inning run came on a balk ... well ... that's got to really hurt.

Regardless of how the run scored, it proved to be the winning run in the Catfish 5-4 win.

Fronk homer in the 9th powers Catfish to win

The Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) failed to live up to their nickname tonight.

The Columbus Catfish never trailed, but did need 9th inning heroics to secure the win tonight, as they beat Kannapolis, 7-5, opening a 4-game series and 8-game home stand.

Catfish blast Hickory, earn split

The Columbus Catfish ended their series with the Hickory Crawdads (Pirates) on a positive note.

The Catfish erupted for 12 runs, as they took the final game of the series 12-0.

The win gives the Catfish a split of the 2-game series.