Chicago Cubs dominated by Phil Hughes, lose 7-2 to Twins

Hughes shines; Rizzo homers twice

First baseman Anthony Rizzo launched home run’s No. 13 and 14 but the Chicago Cubs would fall 7-2 at the hands of veteran pitcher Phil Hughes and the second-place Minnesota Twins.

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Tonight featured some of the top prospects squaring off, three of them taking the field for the visiting team. Out of all four, Addison Russell was the only one who was able to record a hit, finishing 1-for-4 while Kris Bryant and Byron Buxton finished 0-for-4 and Kyle Schwarber was hit-less in three at-bats as Chicago’s designated hitter.

Kyle Hendricks gave up back-to-back-to-back singles to lead off the bottom half of the first inning, setting up a huge opportunity for Trevor Plouffe grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop Starlin Castro. Castro turned his head away from the play, forgetting to call a timeout which allowed an additional run to score.

Catcher Miguel Montero recorded the first hit for the Cubs with a leadoff single to left field, but the Cubs failed to keep things going. Hughes was hard to figure out tonight despite giving up a solo home run to Rizzo in the fourth inning which made it 3-1. 

Prior to Rizzo going yard, Plouffe recorded his second RBI of the game on a double to right field which allowed Eddie Rosario to score from third. Rosario picked up a standing triple to right field on a pitch that appeared to be making its way to the fans sitting in the bleachers.

Hendricks (2-3, 4.28 ERA) was absolutely hammered in his outing today, surrendering six earned runs on 11 hits while issuing one walk and recording just a single strikeout. Former rotation man, Edwin Jackson entered the game in the sixth and would finish things out, holding Minnesota to just one hit.

Hughes (5-6, 4.47 ERA) cruised to his fifth victory of the season, holding this young lineup to just one earned run on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

The Cubs continued to struggle in the sixth when Eduardo Escobar drove in two on an RBI single to left and ended up on third base after a throwing error by Montero.

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