INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians sent 13 hitters to the plate and used a nine-run second inning to run away from the Iowa Cubs for a 16-3 win on Saturday night at Victory Field. Every batter that came to the plate on Saturday night scored a run for Indy to guide the Indians to the second most runs scored by the team this season. The second inning onslaught was the first time Indy scored nine runs in an inning dating back to the sixth frame on July 28, 2024, at Iowa.
Second baseman Duce Gourson led off the second inning and scored twice in the frame before ending the night 3-for-5 with one run batted in and one run on the night.
Indians (24-14, 55-58) Catcher Cameron Barstad went 2-for-4 at the dish, highlighted by a two-run home run in the sixth inning to go along with three RBI for his evening. The Indians batted around for the second time in the game during the five-run sixth inning.
Infielder Joshua Palacios kept his hot homestand on track with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate with three runs scored and three RBI. Outfielder Dominic Fletcher added a 2-for-4 night with two runs scored and two RBI.
Noah Davis (W, 2-8) started on the mound for the Indians and went 5.0 innings with five strikeouts, while only giving up four hits and three earned runs. Beau Burrows and Noah Murdock each pitched 1.0 inning in relief and neither surrendered a hit. CD Pelham went 2.0 innings, did not allow a hit and struck out three Cubs (15-23, 45-65) batters in his stint.
For the Cubs, Will Sanders (L, 6-2) started on the mound and lasted 1.2 innings, tying his shortest start of the season for Iowa. Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcantara was a lone bright spot for the Cubs offense going 1-for-2 with two walks and a solo home run in the third inning.
In the fourth inning, Indians second basemen Termarr Johnson left with an injury. He went 0-for-3 with one run scored tonight.
The Indians close out the six-game series against the Iowa Cubs on Sunday with first pitch set for 1:35 PM at Victory Field. Hunter Barco (3-6, 4.62 ERA) is set to start for Indy, while Iowa’s starter has not been announced.