Columbus Catfish game notes

Published on July 16, 2005 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbus Catfish News Release


Tonight in Greenville: The Columbus Catfish (39-50 overall, 11-9 2nd half, 3rd SAL-Southern, 1.0 GB) wrap up an 11-game road trip and a four-game series with the Greenville Bombers (45-43 overall, 10-10 2nd half, T-4th SAL-Southern, 2.0 GB), the Single-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The Catfish hold an 8-6 advantage in the season series after winning the first two games of the series in Greenville but losing last night 7-3. Last night's 7-3 loss ended a fivegame winning streak for the Fish, tying their longest winning streak of the season (May 23-28).

Tonight, LHP Scott Elbert takes the mound for Columbus at 7:05 against Greenville RHP Scott Shoemaker. The Catfish have already ensured a winning road trip as they sport a 6-4 record through the first ten games of the trip.

Yesterday: The Columbus Catfish fell victim to both the rain and the Greenville Bombers as a rain delay in the eighth turned into a rain-shortened 7-3 loss in just over seven innings for Columbus (39-50, 11-9 second half), ending a Catfish five-game winning streak. 2B Travis Denker hit a solo HR in the second inning for the Fish, his team-leading 19th blast of the season. RHP Jarod Plummer took the loss for the Fish, allowing six runs (four earned) in six innings of work. Greenville DH Claudio Arias finished 2-3 with a HR, RBI, and three runs scored for the Bombers (45-43, 10-10). The Catfish have won two of the first three games with Greenville.

Vs. Greenville: The Catfish own an 8-6 advantage over the Greenville Bombers in the 2005 season series. In late April, the Catfish dropped a doubleheader to the Bombers on the 27th but rallied at Golden Park to win the next two contests and split the first series. In late May-Early June, the Catfish took three out of four games during their first trip to Greenville Municipal Stadium. Greenville took two of three in Columbus three weeks ago at Golden Park. The two teams will face off (including tonight) 9 more times in 2005.

Denker Delivers: 2B Travis Denker was the Catfish's lone position player at the All-Star Game and has started the post-All-Star period aflame. Denker has reached base in 25 of his last 53 plate appearances including 7 HR on the current road trip. Denker leads the SAL in BB with 60 this season, is 3rd with 19 HR, and 5th with 60 RBI, adding a .289 batting average, .527 SLG and .401 OBP. Last Sunday, Denker hit 3 HR in one game for the second time in the 2005 season, and has blasted 7 HR in his last 39 AB. Denker has hit 12 HR since June 11th.

The Bombers: The Greenville Bombers are in the first year of a player development contract with the Boston Red Sox, after switching affiliations in the 2004 offseason away from the New York Mets. The Bombers also moved from Columbia, SC to Greenville prior to the 2005 season. Led by Manager Chad Epperson, the Bombers have lost six of their last eight games. The Bombers are second in the SAL with a .273 average, have hit 62 HR (8th), and have a 3.98 ERA, 9th in the SAL. OF John Otness is tops on the team with a .341 average, adding 6 HR, 36 RBI, and .408 OBP. RHP Gary Galvez leads the starting staff with a 7-2 record and a 3.05 ERA.

Home Sweet Home: Overall, the Catfish are 18-30 on the road in 2005, while they sport a 21-20 record at Golden Park. The Catfish are 6-4 on the current 11-game road trip. Columbus has won just three of twelve road series this season. The Fish have hit the ball better at home, posting a .283 home batting average with an average of 5.10 runs per game while hitting .252 on the road and averaging 4.47 runs per game. The Catfish have increased their RPG over .7 runs on the road trip. The Fish have an eight-game homestand starting tomorrow.

Hitting Notes: The Catfish have a team batting average of .266 (4th in the SAL) and are now 10th in the SAL in runs with 419. The Catfish have hit 66 HR, T-6th in the SAL. 2B Travis Denker leads all Catfish regulars with a .289 average, 19 HR, 60 RBI, and a .401 OBP. Pitching Notes: The Catfish team ERA stands now at 3.93 after 89 games (7th SAL). The Catfish did have the league's highest ERA as recently as May 2nd. RHP Blake Johnson leads the pitching staff with an 8-3 record and RHP Chris Malone also has eight wins. RHP Albenis Castillo has pitched well out of the bullpen lately picking up five saves in his last five opportunities.

Team Defense: The Catfish have committed 106 errors in 89 games this season. The Catfish committed one error yesterday in the 7-3 loss. Welcome Westervelt: C Chris Westervelt started the 2005 season in June after missing two months with a broken hamate bone in his left hand. He got off to a slow start with the Catfish in his first eight games, starting 3 for 28 (.107). However, Westervelt went 5-6 with 2 2B, a HR, and 3 RBI vs. Asheville on Friday and finished the Asheville series 9-14 with 5 RBI. The Bateseville, AR native hit .341 with 10 HR and 37 RBI in 41 games for the Ogden Raptors in 2005.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central