Ian Happ and Michael Busch homers power Cubs past Twins 8-2

CHICAGO, IL – On Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Minnesota Twins 8-2, powered by home runs from Ian Happ and Michael Busch and a solid pitching effort from five Cubs hurlers, who combined to limit the Twins to just six hits.

Javier Assad took the mound for the first four innings, followed by Jorge López (2-2), who pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win. The Cubs claimed victory in the final two games of their three-game series and have now won six of their last eight contests.

The Twins’ Trevor Richards (2-2) replaced starter Joe Ryan in the third inning but struggled, failing to escape the inning. Richards allowed three runs, walked five batters, and threw two wild pitches, one of which allowed a run to score. The Cubs also scored on Seiya Suzuki’s bases-loaded walk, and Isaac Paredes contributed with a sacrifice fly, giving the Cubs a 4-2 lead.

After Assad’s departure, the Cubs’ bullpen kept the Twins to only three hits. Ryan, who had given up Busch’s solo homer in the first inning, exited with right triceps tightness after just four pitches in the third inning. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli mentioned that Ryan would undergo further evaluation and might miss additional time.

Once Ryan left, the Twins struggled to keep pace. Happ hit a two-run homer off Josh Winder in the fourth inning, a 376-foot blast that landed in the party deck in right field. In the eighth inning, Dansby Swanson and Christian Bethancourt added RBIs against Caleb Theilbar.

Assad allowed three hits and both Minnesota runs during his outing, walking two and striking out one. Matt Wallner had an RBI double in the first inning, and Brooks Lee added an RBI groundout in the second.

**UP NEXT:**

**Twins:** After a day off on Thursday, the Twins will host a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. RHP Bailey Ober (11-5, 3.69 ERA) is scheduled to pitch one of the games, while the Guardians have not yet announced their starters.

**Cubs:** The Cubs have Thursday off before facing the Chicago White Sox on Friday. RHP Jameson Taillon (7-6, 3.25 ERA) will pitch against White Sox right-hander Garrett Crochet (6-8, 3.19 ERA).

(Photo courtesy of Twins/MLB)