Sports stats



IL Indianapolis Indians

Home Runs Hand Indianapolis First Loss of 2021

May 6, 2021 - International League (IL)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


DES MOINES, IOWA - After seven innings of back-and-forth ball, the Iowa Cubs capped a five-run eighth with a grand slam to hand the Indianapolis Indians their first loss of 2021, 8-3, and even the series at one game apiece.

After being shut out by the Indians pitching staff last night, the I-Cubs (1-1) offense opened up with seven of its eight runs being scored on four home runs.

The scoring began early with a solo shot by Rafael Ortega in the first inning. The Iowa bats threatened again in the second, but the lead held at 1-0 as Indians RHP Beau Sulser escaped a bases-loaded jam with his third strikeout of the inning.

Indianapolis (1-1) rallied in the third to go ahead, 2-1. In his Triple-A debut after making the jump from Single-A, second baseman Connor Kaiser opened the frame with a double and was driven in on center fielder Travis Swaggerty's third RBI of the young season. With the bases loaded and one out, a sacrifice fly off the bat of first baseman Will Craig gave Indy the lead.

Sulser's day ended through 2.2 innings after Ortega tied the game with his second home run in two plate appearances. Facing his first batter in relief, LHP Blake Weiman surrendered a long ball to Nick Martini to give the Cubs back the lead, 3-2.

Indianapolis was handed nine free bases by Iowa's pitching staff, but failed to score three times with runners in scoring position and less than two outs over the next four innings. On the basepaths, Swaggerty stole a career-high tying two bases and right fielder Troy Stokes Jr. swiped one.

After a game-tying solo home run off RHP Jake Jewell (W, 1-0)(BS, 1) by Indians left fielder Dustin Fowler, the Cubs capitalized on free bases of their own. RHP Nick Mears (L, 0-1) walked three in his Triple-A debut while surrendering the game-winning RBI single and a one-out grand slam to Abiatal Avelino in the bottom half of the eighth.

The Indians offense will look to bounce back tomorrow night in an 8:08 PM ET first pitch start vs. the Cubs. RHP Cody Ponce (0-0, 0.00) is set to make his season debut vs. RHP Cory Abbott (0-0, 0.00).

Check out the Indianapolis Indians Statistics



International League Stories from May 6, 2021


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.

Other Recent Indianapolis Indians Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central