Shackelford Homers in Indians Wednesday Loss

INDIANAPOLIS – Despite Aaron Shackelford’s fourth home run of the season and Osvaldo Bido’s first quality start, the Iowa Cubs narrowly edged the Indianapolis Indians on Wednesday afternoon at Victory Field, 5-4.

With Iowa (23-15) leading 2-0 in the first inning after a throwing error by catcher Endy Rodríguez scored a pair, Shackelford roped a line drive 113.6 MPH over the wall in the right-field corner to cut the deficit to one run. The Indians (19-21) then tied the game on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Chavez Young.

The I-Cubs scored one more run off Bido (L, 2-3) on Nelson Velazquez’s solo home run in the sixth before both teams traded a pair of runs one inning later. An RBI double by Cal Mitchell and bases-loaded walk to Shackelford brought the game within one run.

Brendon Little (W, 2-1) tossed 1.2 scoreless frames in relief of Caleb Kilian to earn the win while Iowa’s pitching staff held Indianapolis hitless with runners in scoring position. Manuel Rodriguez (S, 6) fanned the last two batters of the game.

The six-game series continues Thursday at 11:05 AM ET at Victory Field. LHP Kent Emanuel (1-1, 8.15) will take the mound for Indianapolis while Iowa has yet to name a starter.