Cubs capitalize on Twins’ wild pitching, win sequence

Ian Happ clubbed a two-run homer and four Chicago relievers combined for five scoreless innings as the Cubs beat the visiting Minnesota Twins 8-2 on Wednesday in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Chicago’s bullpen thrived following a short outing from starter Javier Assad, who allowed two runs and three hits in four innings. Drew Smyly worked the fifth before Jorge Lopez (2-2) logged two innings and Porter Hodge and Julian Merryweather each pitched one.

Michael Busch went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs and a walk for the Cubs, who won for the sixth time in their past eight games.

Carlos Santana had two hits and a run as Minnesota dropped its second straight game following a five-game winning streak.

After Twins starter Joe Ryan experienced right triceps tightness while facing Pete Crow-Armstrong to open the home half of the third, Trevor Richards (2-2) took over in relief, and Chicago jumped on him to take control of the game.

Crow-Armstrong singled and Christian Bethancourt walked against Richards, who then got Happ to ground into a forceout. Runners were on the corners before Happ stole second and Busch walked to load the bases.

Richards proceeded to walk Seiya Suzuki to force in a run, tying the game at 2. Isaac Paredes followed with a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch brought home Busch to put the Cubs up 4-2.

Nico Hoerner also drew a walk, ending Richards’ day. The right-hander yielded three runs on one hit and five walks in just two-thirds of an inning.

Cole Sands prevented further damage, getting Dansby Swanson to ground into an inning-ending forceout.

Happ virtually put the game away with his two-run homer in the fourth for a 6-2 advantage.

Swanson had a run-scoring single and Bethancourt added an RBI double in the eighth to close the scoring.

The teams traded runs in their respective halves of the first, with Minnesota’s Matt Wallner ripping an RBI double before Busch responded with a solo shot.

Brooks Lee grounded out to bring home Santana in the second, giving the Twins a 2-1 edge.

In his two-plus innings, Ryan yielded one run on one hit. He didn’t issue a walk and fanned two.

–Field Level Media