Seven in seventh nets Jackets win

Finally, a blowout.

The Augusta GreenJackets used a seven-run seventh inning Monday to beat the Columbus Catfish, 9-2 at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

First baseman Jason Columbus went 4-for-4 with an RBI as the GreenJackets won a home game by more than five runs for the first time since their home opener on April 14. Nine of their 14 home wins have been by only one run - six of those were won in the bottom of the ninth.

"It's a little more exciting when we do it in the ninth, but it's nice to know you're going to win a ball game a little earlier," Augusta second baseman Aaron Hornostaj said. "It's easier on your pitching staff; it's a little less pressure on the guys that are at the plate, too."

The GreenJackets (24-14) won the series 3-1 and take over sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic League's Southern Division after Charleston lost Monday. Augusta finished its third homestand 6-2 and is 14-5 at home this season.

While it ended in a blowout, Monday's game had the makings of another nail-biter. The GreenJackets won the first two games of this series on blown saves in the late innings by the Catfish, and the teams were tied at 2-2 entering the seventh.

Reliever Sean Martin got the GreenJackets safely through the Catfish's half of the inning, but Catfish reliever Wesley Wright wasn't so lucky.

Wright had entered the game in the sixth inning with a runner at first and Columbus holding a 2-1 lead. Marcus Sanders stole second and tied the game on Jon Armitage's single to right center.

The left-hander faced three batters in the seventh - two of them scored - before Cory Wade came in to finish what turned into a 12-batter inning. The GreenJackets scored their seven runs on four hits, three walks and three errors.

Right fielder Brian Horwitz, who's batting average rose back above .400 with a 3-for-5 performance, drove in two runs with a single up the middle, and Hornostaj drove in two more with a single.

On the mound for Augusta, Martin (2-0) allowed one hit in two scoreless innings and Brian Wilson got himself into and out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the ninth to finish off the Catfish. Starter Ben Thurmond scattered six hits over six innings.

"Our pitching staff has been unbelievable," Columbus said. "The bullpen has just been lights out. They come in and just close the door, and that's what you've got to have. We just got that big inning. Things just went our way tonight."

Reach Kristy Shonka at (706) 823-3216 or kristy.shonka@augustachronicle.com.

STAR OF THE GAME: Augusta first baseman Jason Columbus went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and one RBI.

KEY PLAY: The GreenJackets' seven-run seventh blew the game open.

TONIGHT'S GAME: 7, GreenJackets at Rome Braves.