Cubs 7, Twins 3: Imanaga strikes out ten

The Cubs struck first in this one, as after two outs in the first, two singles were followed by a three run blast by Isaac Paredes. They would push that to a 4-0 lead in the 3rd, after a bloop single by Paredes allowed the runner on first to score.

That’s all of the run support the Cubs’ pitching staff would need tonight, as Shota Imanaga tossed a gem. The Twins first hit tonight came courtesy of Royce Lewis, a 2-run homer in the 4th inning to cut the Cubs’ lead to 2. That was pretty much the only blemish on Imanaga’s night, as he finished with 7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, 10 K.

Pablo López exited after 5 innings, giving way to Randy Dobnak in the 6th. He walked Paredes, who scored on a triple by Dansby Swanson. Then, a wild pitch allowed Swanson to score, making it a 6-2 game.

Christian Vázquez would hit a solo homer in the 8th, but the Cubs pushed another run across on Dobnak in that inning, leading us to our 7-3 final score. Joe Ryan will go for the Twins tomorrow, as they try to win the rubber match.

Studs:

The three Twins who got hits.

Royce Lewis: 1-4, HR

Christian Vázquez: 1-3, HR

Brooks Lee: 1-3, 2B

Duds:

Pablo López: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, BB, 2 K, HR

Randy Dobnak: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, K

Everyone else.