Twins Dominate Cubs 8-1 with Stellar Pitching and Late-Inning Power
Simeon Woods Richardson delivered a masterful performance, outshining Shota Imanaga with five scoreless innings as the Minnesota Twins triumphed over the Chicago Cubs 8-1 on Tuesday night.
Ryan Jeffers emerged as a key player, driving in three runs and initiating a power display in the eighth inning, where the Twins scored six runs off Porter Hodge. Hodge faced a tough outing, surrendering home runs to both Willi Castro and Harrison Bader, managing to record only one out.
In the first inning, All-Star Byron Buxton and Jeffers set the tone with back-to-back doubles, contributing to a quick two-run lead. Royce Lewis also added to the offensive effort with two RBIs.
Imanaga, who was an All-Star during his rookie season last year, completed six innings for the first time since early April after recovering from a hamstring strain. The Twins strategically shielded Woods Richardson from facing the toughest hitters in the Cubs lineup, opting for bullpen support against formidable opponents like Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki.
This tactical decision proved effective; Woods Richardson threw only 61 pitches against the league's highest-scoring team. Brock Stewart capped off the sixth inning by striking out Dansby Swanson with runners on the corners.
Justin Turner broke the shutout in the ninth with his 200th career home run, providing a moment of celebration for the Cubs. Griffin Jax faced some challenges in the eighth, allowing a single and a walk before striking out Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong, ultimately retiring Busch on a line drive.
Woods Richardson has been impressive lately, allowing just 11 hits over 26 innings with a remarkable 1.38 ERA in his last five starts after spending nearly a month in Triple-A earlier this season.
Looking ahead, RHP Cade Horton (3-2, 4.15 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Cubs in Wednesday's middle game of the series, facing off against Twins RHP David Festa (2-3, 5.48).
