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Walk-off Hit-By-Pitch Lifts Indians Over I-Cubs, 10-9

August 24, 2023 - International League (IL)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Indians batted around in the third, Canaan Smith-Njigba launched two home runs and Nick Gonzales was beaned with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to walk off the Iowa Cubs on Thursday night at Victory Field, 10-9.

A single and fielder's choice error by second baseman Jake Slaughter put the first two Indianapolis (57-64, 24-23) runners on to begin the ninth inning. After a well-placed sacrifice bunt by Dom Nuñez, Smith-Njigba was walked intentionally, and Gonzales was hit by Cam Sanders' (L, 6-2) first offering to him to win the game. It is the first walk-off hit-by-pitch in Victory Field history.

Down 4-1 in the third after a pair of home runs by the red-hot Alexander Canario - marking his third consecutive game with a dinger - Indianapolis sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on six hits, all with two outs. Smith-Njigba began the rout with a solo home run, his first of two coming in consecutive innings. A trio of two-run knocks - singles by Jared Triolo and Mason Martin and a double off the bat of Chris Owings - quickly piled onto Indy's score.

After a bases-loaded walk gave Iowa (69-51, 26-21) one run back in the top of the fourth, Smith-Njigba countered with his second long ball to extend the lead back to three. The two teams then traded runs again in the sixth on an Canario double and Owings single.

The I-Cubs scored at least one run in seven of nine innings and each of their last four, with the game-tying run coming on a long, two-out home run by Matt Mervis in the top of the ninth against Cody Bolton (W, 2-4).

The multi-homer game for Smith-Njigba was the second of his career and first since June 13, 2019, with Single-A Charleston vs. Greenville.

The Indians will look to clinch at least a series split with a win on Friday at 7:05 PM ET. RHP Quinn Priester (7-3, 4.12) will take the mound for Indy against RHP Caleb Kilian (7-1, 3.87).

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