Drive Complete Sweep
Greenville began the scoring in the top of the 1st when Jered Stanley's single to right field scored Ryan Kalish after the inning was extended by an Omar Luna error. Columbus would answer back when Greg Sexton's single to center field scored Shawn O'Malley, who had reached on a single. Greenville would score 3 more in the 3rd inning, when Oscar Tejeda's single to left field scored Stanley, Ty Weeden's single to center field scored Luis Exposito and Kristopher Negron's double scored Tejeda. Greenville added another in the 4th inning when Exposito drove in Michael Jones with a single to center field. Greenville scored again in the 6th when Exposito's double over center fielder Jackson Brennan's head plated Michael Jones.
Being down 6-1, the Catfish did not give up and would score in the next 4 frames. In the bottom of the 6th, Sexton drove in Jackson Brennan, who had doubled to lead-off the inning, with a single to center field. In the bottom of the 7th, Mike McCormick connected on his 3rd home run of the year to make it 6-3. The Catfish would make it a 6-5 game in the 8th, when Reid Fronk doubled home Brennan and Fronk moved to 3rd on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.
In the 9th, Greenville picked up what turned out to be a huge insurance run when Negron's single to center scored Tejeda. Columbus would get one more when James Mayer's groundout to second base scored Henry Wrigley, who had tripled to lead-off the inning.
Greenville pounded out 17 hits and every starter had at least 1. They were led by Luis Exposito (4-5 with a double, run and 2 runs batted in) and Kristopher Negron (4-5 with a double and 2 runs batted). Jose Alvarez picked up his 3rd win of the season after allowing only 2 earned runs in 5 and 2/3 innings while striking out 5.
Columbus had 3 hitters with at least 2 hits in Reid Fronk (2-4 with a run, 2 doubles and a run batted in), Greg Sexton (2-4 with 2 runs batted in) and Mike McCormick (2-4 with a run, home run and run batted in). Brian Flores picked up his 3rd loss after allowing 11 hits and 4 earned runs in 4 innings of work.
The Catfish begin a series with the Savannah Sand Gnats tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm.
The Catfish are the Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.