Andújar and Castro each homered in the win
By Anna Kayser
July 30, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS – Jason Delay roped a career-high three doubles to become the 18th Indianapolis Indian in Victory Field history to match the feat and lead a booming offense to an 11-3 rout over the Louisville Bats on Sunday afternoon at Victory Field. With the win, the Indians clinched a 4-2 series victory and finish the season set with a 13-5 record vs. the Bats.
Delay, who went 3-for-3 with a trio of runs, two-baggers and RBI, was the first Indians batter to hit three doubles in a game since Tucupita Marcano on April 7, 2023 at Louisville. Delay’s three-double performance was also the first time an Indian had done so at Victory Field since Josh Bell on June 11, 2016 vs. Syracuse.
The backstop’s standout performance was one of many for the Indians (48-53, 15-12) offense, which scored runs in five of the first six frames to take an insurmountable lead. Miguel Andújar began the scoring in the first inning with a solo home run against Randy Wynne (L, 3-3) and never slowed down, going 2-for-5 with a two-run single later in the game.
Delay’s first double and a single by Rodolfo Castro in the second inning gave Indy the lead it needed for the win. With Louisville’s (53-47, 13-14) first runs plated in the top of the fourth, Castro countered quickly with a two-run homer to right field. Andújar and Castro are both working two-game home run streaks after each going yard in Saturday’s contest.
Aaron Shackelford joined in on the fun with a multi-RBI performance of his own, lining a two-run single with the bases loaded to cap a four-run fourth inning. All 11 of the Indians’ runs were driven in by Andújar, Castro, Delay and Shackelford.
While the offense was rolling, Cam Alldred (W, 7-3) held the Bats offense hitless through the first three frames. He finished his outing after 5.0 two-run innings with six strikeouts. The bullpen entered to finish the job with ease, with John O’Reilly, Yohan Ramirez and Travis MacGregor combining for one run in the final four frames.
The Indians begin a six-game series vs. the Gwinnett Stripers on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM ET before returning home on Aug. 8 vs. Nashville. Neither the Indians or Stripers have named a starting pitcher for Tuesday’s series opener.
Originally posted on milb.com