The Twins' five-series win streak came to an abrupt and disappointing end in a 10-1 loss to the Cubs. The game, played in the warm summer sun at Wrigley Field, was a stark contrast to the team's recent success. Manager Derek Shelton acknowledged the Twins' poor performance, stating, 'We didn't play good today. They played good today.'
The Twins' starting pitcher, Zebby Matthews, struggled to finish hitters, consistently working himself into favorable counts but failing to translate those advantages into outs. According to Shelton, Matthews was even or ahead in the count against 21 of the 22 hitters he faced, yet the Cubs still produced nine hits, drew three walks, and scored 10 runs, eight of which were earned. Matthews' afternoon set the tone for the Twins' poor performance.
The Cubs' hitters refused to let Matthews escape quickly, fouling off pitches, extending at-bats, and waiting for opportunities to attack. Alex Bregman's first-inning homer came on a 2-2 slider Matthews left up, and the Cubs repeatedly turned two-strike counts into damage. The game moved from troublesome to lopsided in the third inning when Nico Hoerner lined a sinking ball toward Luke Keaschall in center field, who misread the ball and allowed all three runners to score.
The Twins' defense gave away outs, and the offense offered little response. Shota Imanaga worked seven scoreless innings by avoiding the middle of the plate and relying on Chicago's defense behind him. Travis Adams provided the afternoon's most practical contribution, covering three innings after Matthews departed, allowing Shelton to avoid using a position player on the mound and protect the rest of the bullpen before the upcoming series in Cleveland.
In a loss this decisive, that mattered. The Twins' five-series win streak is now over, and they must leave this game behind before four division games. Manager Derek Shelton acknowledged the Twins' poor performance, stating, 'This game got out of hand early and stayed out of hand. We’ve just got to flush it and move on to the next series.'
This loss serves as a stark reminder that the Twins' success is not guaranteed, and they must continue to work hard to maintain their position in the division.
