INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians defeated the Iowa Cubs, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon to close out this week’s series at Victory Field. Indians pitchers gave up only one hit combined this afternoon with the lone hit being a single by Cubs second baseman Ben Cowles in the second inning. Sunday was the third combined one-hitter performance from the Indy pitching staff during the 2026 season.
Hunter Barco (W, 4-6) started the game on the mound for Indy (25-14, 56-58) and went 6.0 innings with three strikeouts in his second start this week vs. Iowa (15-24, 45-66). In his two starts this week against Iowa, Barco allowed only three hits over 10.1 innings pitched combined.
Relief pitchers Brandon Eisert, Isaac Mattson and Justin Meis each threw one inning out of the bullpen. Eisert struck out two batters and Meis struck out one in the ninth inning his first save with Indy this season.
The Indians scored first in the bottom of the second inning on a Joshua Palacios sacrifice fly to score Jack Brannigan. Indy extended the lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning off a double to left field from Grae Kessinger to score Brannigan, who led off the inning with a single of his own. Sunday was Brannigan’s fifth multi-hit game of the year with Indy after ending the day 2-for-3. Brannigan ended the series hitting .368 overall.
Johnathan Rodriguez ended the game 2-for-4 with a double, while Mitch Jebb went 1-for-3 at the top of the batting order. Jebb ended the series going 9-for-20 (.450) at the plate.
For the Cubs, Josh Fleming (L, 4-6) started on the mound and gave up one earned run with four hits over 3.0 innings.
The Indians head out for a six-game road series at the Nashville Sounds starting this Tuesday at 7:35 PM ET.