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Count 'Em: Indians Launch Two Grand Slams in 15-3 Rout

Rodolfo Castro and Jared Oliva each recorded their second career grand slams
Jared Oliva drove in a career-high tying five RBI in Tuesday night's win. (Photo by Adam Pintar)
May 10, 2022

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Rodolfo Castro and Jared Oliva each launched grand slams – setting a new Victory Field era single-game record – as the Indianapolis Indians dominated with 16 total hits in a statement win over the Charlotte Knights on Tuesday night, 15-3.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Rodolfo Castro and Jared Oliva each launched grand slams – setting a new Victory Field era single-game record – as the Indianapolis Indians dominated with 16 total hits in a statement win over the Charlotte Knights on Tuesday night, 15-3.

Castro and Oliva’s grand slams, the second of their respective careers, marked the first time since July 10, 1995 that the Indians hit two grand slams in a single game. In that 1995 game – a season in which the Indians set a then-professional baseball record with 13 grand slams, broken in 2000 by the Oakland A’s (14) – Brian Dorsett and Dave McCarty each clubbed grand slams in a 10-4 win over Omaha at Bush Stadium. Indianapolis has not hit more than two grand slams in a single season since hitting five in 2016.

The Indians (15-14) got on the board in the first on an RBI single by Canaan Smith-Njigba before Castro broke open the game with the bases juiced and two outs in the top of the second, lining his grand slam off the right-field foul pole. It was Castro’s first grand slam since May 4, 2019 with Single-A Greensboro vs. West Virginia.

Facing a 6-0 deficit, the Knights (12-19) put up two runs in the fifth on a two-run home run by Blake Rutherford. They then traded single runs with Indy in the sixth.

An eight-run eighth inning opened the floodgates, highlighted by Oliva’s long ball out to left field for his first grand slam since June 22, 2018 with High-A Bradenton vs. Fort Myers. With the four runs driven in on one swing, Oliva tied his career high with five RBI, last matched on Aug. 28, 2021 vs. Louisville. The Indians sent 12 total batters to the plate, recording six hits with three walks. All eight runs were scored prior to an out being recorded.

Trey McGough got the start for the Indians and tossed a season-high 4.0 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Cam Vieaux (W, 3-0) and Matt Eckelman combined to hold the Knights hitless over the final three innings.

Kyle Kubat (L, 2-1) surrendered five runs in 2.0 innings in his first start of the season. Only one of the five runs allowed was earned, with a throwing error by Seby Zavala extending the second inning prior to Castro’s two-out grand slam. Brandon Finnegan was charged with five of the eight runs in the eighth frame. Six total Charlotte pitchers combined for nine walks in the contest.

The 15-3 win tied Indianapolis’ largest margin of victory since Aug. 8, 2021 at Iowa (13-1). The Indians were just one hit shy of tying their single-game high of 2022, when they notched 17 hits on April 16 at St. Paul.

The Indians and Knights will face off again on Wednesday night at 6:35 PM ET at Truist Field. RHP Cody Bolton (0-1, 4.73) will take the mound vs. RHP Johnny Cueto (0-1, 6.10).