August 7, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (8) hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports Ian Happ combined with four Chicago relievers to defeat the visiting Minnesota Twins 8-2 in Wednesday’s three-game series Hit a two-run home run and went five scoreless innings.
The Chicago bullpen thrived after starter Javier Assad was briefly out, allowing two runs and three hits in four innings. Drew Smyly pitched the fifth inning, then Jorge Lopez (2-2) pitched two innings and Porter Hodge and Julian Meriwether pitched one inning each.
Michael Busch went 2-for-3 with a homer, two runs and a run scored for the Cubs, who won for the sixth time in their past eight games.
Carlos Santana had two hits and one run as Minnesota lost its second straight game after a five-game winning streak.
Trevor Richards (2-2) released after Twins starter Joe Ryan suffered right triceps tightness while facing Pete Crow-Armstrong in the top half of the third quarter. tone, Chicago jumped on him to take control of the game.
Crow-Armstrong singled, Christian Bethancourt drew a walk and Richards then grounded Happ. The runners were on the corners before Happ stole second and Busch loaded the bases.
Richards then walked Suzuki Seiya and hit a strong attack, tying the score at 2. -2 lead.
Nico Hoerner also walked a walk, ending Richards’ day. The right-hander allowed one hit and three runs and five walks in just two-thirds of an inning.
Cole Sands prevented further damage, allowing Dansby Swanson to force an out in the bottom of the inning.
Happ hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to take a 6-2 lead and nearly end the game.
Swanson hit a run-scoring single and Bethancourt hit an RBI double to tie the game in the eighth.
Both teams scored in the first half, with Minnesota’s Matt Wallner having an RBI double and Busch responding with a single.
In the second inning, Brooks Lee hit a grounder to bring Santana home, giving the Twins a 2-1 lead.
In his two-plus innings, Ryan allowed one hit and one run. Instead of issuing a walk, he slapped twice.
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