August 7, 2024; Chicago, IL; Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Haff (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 Haff hit a two-run homer and four Chicago relievers combined to throw five scoreless innings as the Cubs completed a three-game series with an 8-2 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.
Chicago’s bullpen thrived after a brief start by starter Javier Assad, who allowed two runs and three hits in four innings. Drew Smyly came on in the fifth, then Jorge Lopez (2-2) pitched two innings and Porter Hodge and Julian Meriweather each pitched one inning.
Michael Bush went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs scored and a walk as the Cubs won for the sixth time in their last eight games.
Carlos Santana had two hits and a run scored as Minnesota suffered its second straight loss after its five-game winning streak ended.
After Twins starter Joe Ryan strained his right triceps while facing home-opening Pete Crow-Armstrong in the bottom of the third, Trevor Richards (2-2) came in as relief and Chicago used him to take control of the game.
Crow-Armstrong singled, Christian Betancourt walked Richards, who grounded out Haff. With runners on the corners, Haff stole second and Bush walked to load the bases.
Richards forced a run by walking Seiya Suzuki to tie the game at 2-2. Isaac Paredes followed with a sacrifice fly, and Bush was driven in on a wild pitch to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead.
Nico Horner also walked to end Richards’ day. The right-hander allowed one hit, three runs and five walks in 2/3 innings.
Cole Sands grounded out to Dansby Swanson to end the inning and prevent further damage.
Happ essentially ended the game with a two-run home run in the fourth to put the Giants ahead 6-2.
Swanson hit a run-scoring single and Bethancourt added an RBI double in the eighth to close out the scoring.
The two teams traded runs in the first and second halves, with Minnesota’s Matt Wallner hitting an RBI double and Bush responding with a solo home run.
Brooks Lee was out in the second inning, bringing in Santana to put the Twins up 2-1.
Ryan allowed one hit and one run in two-plus innings. He did not allow a walk and struck out two.
–Field level media
