Watson extends hitting streak to 42 games

Brandon Watson extended his hitting streak to 42 games, matching a 95-year-old International League record, as Columbus edged host Ottawa, 5-4, on Saturday afternoon.

Watson's one-out double in the fourth inning extended his Minor League season-best streak and tied the IL mark set by Jack Lelivelt in 1912. He scored on an error by third baseman Joey Hammond to give the Clippers a 4-2 lead.

"There's been a lot of players to come through this league, so to be the one to tie this record is great," said Watson. "I'm enjoying every minute of it. It's been a great ride.

"It takes a little bit of luck and a little bit of skill. I'm just fortunate my luck and skill have added up to 42 games so far."

Streaking in the Minors
The longest hitting streaks in Minor League history:
# 69 61 55 50 49 49 46 43 43 43 42 42 42 40 38 38 38	Player Joe Wilhoit Joe DiMaggio Roman Mejias Otto Pahlman Jack Ness Harry Chozen Johnny Bates Eddie Marshall Howie Bedell Orlando Moreno Brandon Watson Jack Lelivelt Herbert Chapman Frosty Kennedy Mitch Hilligoss Hubert Mason Paul Owens	Team (League) Wichita (WL) San Francisco (PCL) Waco (BSL) Danville (III) Oakland (PCL) Mobile (SA) Nashville (SA) Milwaukee (AA) Louisville (AA) Big Spring (LHL) Columbus (IL) Rochester (IL) Gadsden (SEL) Plainview (WT-NM) Charleston (SAL) Binghamton (EL) Orleans (PONY)	Year 1919 1933 1954 1922 1915 1945 1925 1935 1961 1947 2007 1912 1950 1953 2007 1925 1951

The 25-year-old center fielder also singled in the sixth for his fourth consecutive multi-hit game. He is batting .365 (62-for-170) with six doubles, a triple, 19 runs scored and 10 RBIs since going hitless against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 30.

"I'm not putting too much pressure on myself, just trying to keep it simple," said Watson. "I pretty much try to wait, let the ball get deep in the zone, go the other way, leg out infield hits -- whatever it takes."

The Clippers snapped a 4-4 tie in the seventh when Brent Abernathy singled, advanced on Juan Brito's groundout and scored on Manny Alexander's base hit.

Alexander went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the fourth for Columbus (31-37). Former Lynx Bernie Castro added two hits and an RBI.

Starter Tim Redding (9-5) got the win after allowing four runs -- three earned -- on six hits over six innings. The former Major Leaguer struck out three and did not walk a batter. Jermaine Van Buren tossed a scoreless seventh, Arnie Munoz hurled a perfect eighth and Chris Booker notched his 19th save with a hitless ninth.

Ottawa reliever Rick Bauer (1-4) took the loss after yielding a run on three hits and a walk over two innings. Starter Eude Brito, who lasted 3 1/3 frames, gave up four runs -- three earned -- on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts.

Chris Roberson clubbed a two-run homer in the third for the Lynx (28-35).