INDIANAPOLIS – Jack Brannigan went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and six RBI to open the Indianapolis Indians’ homestand with a massive 14-1 victory over the Iowa Cubs. Brannigan’s grand slam was his second of the season and fourth of his career, and his six-RBI performance matched his single-game career high.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Chicago (NL) No. 5 prospect Jaxon Wiggins (L, 0-5) allowed a double and two walks to load the bases. Tyler Callihan, in his return to Victory Field since he was recalled to Pittsburgh on May 28, drew a walk to push Mitch Jebb home and get the Indians’ (22-12, 53-56) first run on the board. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jack Brannigan unloaded on a 2-2 pitch, launching it to the left-field lawn to take a 5-1 lead.
Iowa (13-21, 43-63) scored their lone run in the first inning, with an RBI single from Owen Miller.
After Brannigan broke the game wide open in the third, Indianapolis kept the fire coming. Johnathan Rodríguez continued his hot start with the Indians in the fourth inning, smoking a single off the first baseman’s glove to plate two. Callihan followed with another walk, and Brannigan made it a 9-1 ball game with his fifth and six RBI of the day with a line-drive single. The Indians piled on three more, 12-1, on a fielding error by the right fielder Hayden Cantrelle.
Sac flies from Duce Gourson and Rodríguez in the six and seventh innings rounded out the night’s scoring, 14-1. Jebb (three hits), Rodríguez (two hits) and Brannigan (three hits) led the charge, each collecting a multi-hit game. Derek Diamond (W, 5-0) pitched a perfect seventh and eighth inning to earn the win.
The Indians and I-Cubs meet again for a day game tomorrow, 1:35 PM at Victory Field. LHP Connor Wietgrefe (4-3, 2.76), the Indians July Player of the Month, will take the mound for Game 2. Iowa will look for a win behind RHP Edward Cabrera (0-1, 16.20), making his second major league rehab appearance since hitting the injured list on June 24.