Nico Hoerner went 2-for-5 with a triple and four RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 10-1 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon.
Alex Bregman added a two-run homer for Chicago, which won the rubber match of the three-game series. Michael Busch went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs, and Pedro Ramirez finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Royce Lewis went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI to lead Minnesota at the plate.
Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (6-8) earned his first victory since June 24 against the New York Mets. Imanaga limited the Twins to six hits over seven scoreless innings, and he walked one and struck out four.
Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (4-7) gave up 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits in three-plus innings. He walked three and struck out four.
The Cubs got on the scoreboard early with two runs in the bottom of the first. Seiya Suzuki ripped a one-out double, and Bregman drove him in two batters later with a two-run homer over the wall in left.
Chicago increased its lead to 3-0 in the second. Carson Kelly singled to center to drive in Ramirez, who reached on a ground-rule double.
A four-run third extended the Cubs’ lead to 7-0.
Twins center fielder Luke Keaschall made a defensive miscue that opened the door for Chicago’s big inning. The Cubs had the bases loaded when Hoerner knocked a hit into the outfield. The ball skipped past Keaschall and rolled to the warning track, allowing all three baserunners to score.
Hoerner was credited with a three-run triple on the play.
One batter later, Ramirez singled to drive in Hoerner and make it a seven-run lead.
The rout continued in the fourth as the Cubs pulled ahead 10-0. Busch hit an RBI single, Bregman grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice and Hoerner hit an RBI single.
Minnesota finally snapped its shutout in the eighth. Lewis stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, and he hit a sacrifice fly to right.
