Indy Tops I-Cubs Behind Mitchell’s Seventh-Inning Blast 

INDIANAPOLIS – Cal Mitchell cranked a three-run homer in the seventh inning, Mike Burrows delivered his best pitching performance in Triple-A with 5.0 scoreless innings, and the Indianapolis Indians held off the Iowa Cubs on Friday night at Victory Field, 3-2. The win leveled the six-game set and sealed the season series for Indy over Iowa.

With both teams scoreless at the stretch, Indianapolis (56-57) ambushed Blake Whitney (L, 1-4) and Wyatt Short for three runs as five consecutive batters reached. Diego Castillo singled to knock Whitney out of the game, and Travis Swaggerty greeted Short with a single of his own before Mitchell drilled a 2-0 offering over the right field wall for his seventh home run in Triple-A.

The long ball brought Iowa (52-63) within one run in the eighth against Noe Toribio, who retired the first two batters he faced. The righty then walked Darius Hill on four pitches ahead of a two-run blast off the bat of David Bote.

Eric Hanhold (S, 8) surrendered a leadoff single in the ninth but induced a double play and game-ending groundout on consecutive pitches. The 28-year-old extended his streak without allowing an earned run to 12 games (13.1ip) while holding opponents to a .213 average (10-for-47). Joe Jacques (W, 3-1) struck out two to earn the win.

Burrows and Iowa starter Hayden Wesneski dueled through the first five innings until both bullpens took over. Burrows – rated as Pittsburgh’s No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline – struck out six, walked one and scattered four hits. Wesneski – rated as the Cubs’ No. 12 prospect by MLB Pipeline after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Yankees – recorded five strikeouts and yielded just one hit and one walk.

In addition to his game-winning homer, Mitchell doubled and drew a walk in the triumph.

The Indians and I-Cubs meet again on Saturday at 7:05 PM. RHP Miguel Yajure (2-4, 6.85) gets the nod for Indy against RHP Matt Swarmer (3-1, 2.55).