Festa strikes out career-high 9, Twins beat Cubs 3-0 and close within 3 1/2 games of Guardians

CHICAGO, IL – David Festa delivered a standout performance, striking out a career-high nine batters over five innings, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.

With this win, the Twins narrowed their deficit to 3.5 games behind the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, marking their closest position to first place since May 18.

In his fifth major league start since his debut on June 27, Festa (2-2) allowed just two hits and two walks while throwing 82 pitches, surpassing his previous career high by one pitch. The 24-year-old right-hander focused on maintaining his control through multiple times around the Cubs’ lineup.

The Twins’ bullpen, including Caleb Thielbar, Jorge Alcala, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax, completed the shutout, with Jax earning his eighth save of the season.

Offensively, Royce Lewis contributed a sacrifice fly in the third inning, and Manuel Margot hit a home run in the fifth off Cubs’ pitcher Kyle Hendricks (3-10), who gave up five hits in six innings. Ryan Jeffers added a run-scoring double play in the ninth inning.

In the third inning, Matt Wallner’s hit was misjudged by center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong in the twilight, allowing the ball to land on the warning track. Although Trevor Larnach attempted to score from first base on Wallner’s double, Crow-Armstrong’s throw to shortstop Dansby Swanson and the subsequent relay to catcher Miguel Amaya resulted in a successful tag out.

Looking ahead, the Twins’ right-hander Pablo López (10-7, 4.65 ERA) will take the mound on Tuesday, aiming for his third consecutive win. The Cubs will counter with left-hander Shota Imanaga (8-2, 3.09 ERA), who is coming off three consecutive no-decisions since his last victory on July 10 against the Baltimore Orioles.

(Photo courtesy of Twins/MLB)