Fowler hits grand slam, Cubs roll
Dexter Fowler hit a grand slam late and Jake Arrieta tossed a complete game four-hitter as the Chicago Cubs rolled to an 8-0 win over the Minnesota Twins on Father’s Day afternoon.
Fowler took the 2-1 pitch from right-hander Michael Tonkin and deposited it into the right-field seats, extending the Chicago lead to 8-0 in the eighth. The Cubs scored six runs in the inning, breaking things wide open.
Kyle Schwarber accounted for the other two runs in the frame when he singled to left, scoring Starlin Castro and Chris Coghlan. Sunday’s win marked the last game for the talented prospect in Chicago, as he is set to be sent to Triple-A Iowa, according to GM Jed Hoyer.
In his brief stint with the Cubs, Schwarber, who skipped to the bigs straight from Double-A Tennessee, batted .364 with a home run and six runs batted in. He’ll no-doubt be back in Chicago later this season after he gains more reps with the I-Cubs.
Chicago (37-30) gained a game in the standings on the first-place Cardinals, who fell to the Phillies on Sunday. Arrieta certainly did his part, turning in his first complete game of the season and making his sixth start of at least seven innings this season.
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The Cubs’ offense tallied a dozen hits in the blowout win, getting two apiece from Coghlan, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and catcher Miguel Montero. Castro added three hits in the win, including an RBI single in top of the third off Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson.
Rizzo launched his 15th home run of the season in the top of the fifth to push the Cubs lead to 2-0, where the score remained until Joe Maddon‘s club unloaded in the eighth.
What’s Next:
Chicago (37-30) will welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers (38-31) to Wrigley Field on Monday for the series opener of a four-game set.
Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada (1-1. 3.68) will take the ball for the Cubs. The starter for Los Angeles has not yet been announced. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT.