Stones Stay Hot in 7-4 Win Over Rocket City

COLUMBUS, GA., — A Friday night power surge from David McCabe and Adam Zebrowski led the Columbus Clingstones (18-19, 44-59) to a 7-4 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas (11-26, 35-70) at Synovus Park. Columbus has tied its season-best win streak with five-straight victories since Sunday.

Decisive Plays: A two-run home run (6) from McCabe in the first inning shot Columbus in front. The Clingstones added to the lead with Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. scoring on a wild pitch in the third inning and a solo home run (7) in the fourth. The lead exploded to 7-0 with a two-run sacrifice fly from Ethan Workinger to deep left field in the fifth inning. Columbus held the comfortable lead until Oscar Colas gave Rocket City a spark with a grand slam in the seventh inning to make it 7-4. Rocket City would be held scoreless the rest of the way with Blane Abeyta (S, 3) picking up the save.

Key Contributors: McCabe (1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) and Zebrowski (1-for-4, HR, RBI) led the Columbus offense while Kilpatrick Jr. (3-for-3, 2B, 3B) finished a home run shy of the cycle. For Rocket City, Colas (1-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) represented the only offense with his grand slam.

Notable: The five-game win streak for Columbus is tied for the longest this season with a five-game stretch from May 20-23 against Montgomery. McCabe recorded his first home run since June 29 vs. Biloxi and second blast at home. Ian Mejia became the first pitcher in the Southern League to reach 10 wins with three innings of relief on Friday.

Next Game (Saturday, August 9): Columbus vs. Rocket City, 6:05 pm ET at Synovus Park. RHP Drue Hackenberg (1-5, 8.74 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by LHP Sam Aldegheri (5-7, 4.10) for Rocket City. Radio Broadcast: 5:50 pm ET on Sports Visions 92.1 FM.