Ian Happ hit a two-run homer and four Chicago relievers combined for five scoreless innings as the Cubs beat the Minnesota Twins 8-2 on Wednesday in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Chicago’s bullpen thrived after a short outing by starter Javier Asad, who allowed two runs and three hits in four innings. Drew Smyly worked the fifth inning before Jorge Lopez (2-2) pitched two innings and Porter Hodge and Julian Meriweather each pitched one.
Michael Bush went 2-3 with a solo home run, two runs and a walk, leading the Cubs to a sixth win in their last eight games.
Carlos Santana had two hits and scored a run, causing Minnesota to lose their second game in a row after winning five straight games.
Twins starter Joe Ryan experienced tightness in his right triceps while facing Pete Crow-Armstrong in the home half of the third, after which Trevor Richards (2-2) came on in relief and Chicago pounced on him to take control of the game.
Crow-Armstrong singled and Christian Bethancourt walked against Richards, who then grounded out to Happ into a forceout. Runners were on the corners before Happ stole second and Bush walked to load the bases.
Richards walked Seiya Suzuki to force in a run, tying the game at 2-2. Isaac Paredes followed with a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch brought Bush home to put the Cubs ahead 4-2.
Nico Hoerner also drew a walk, ending Richards’ day. The right-hander allowed three runs on one hit and five walks in just two-thirds of an inning.
Cole Sands prevented further damage, and struck out Dansby Swanson to end the inning.
Happ nearly clinched the game with a two-run homer in the fourth to take a 6–2 lead.
Swanson followed with a run-scoring single and Bethancourt added an RBI double in the eighth to close out the scoring.
Both teams scored in their respective runs in the first half, with Minnesota’s Matt Wallner hitting an RBI double while Bush answered with a solo shot.
Brooks Lee singled in the second to score Santana, giving the Twins a 2–1 lead.
In his two-plus innings, Ryan allowed one run on one hit. He gave up no walks and struck out two batters.
–Field Level Media
