CHICAGO (AP) — Minnesota Twins right-hander David Festa took the mound at Wrigley Field on Monday night for just his fifth big-league start.
The Cubs offense was unable make his first appearance at the Friendly Confines unfriendly in the least.
Festa struck out a career-high nine over five innings, and Twins blanked the Cubs, 3-0, stalling any momentum Chicago may have accumulated after taking three of four from the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field over the weekend.
The Cubs dropped back into last place in the National League Central, now nine games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers going into Tuesday. Chicago is also now seven games off the pace for the third and final NL Wild Card, with five teams ahead of the Cubs for that spot.
The Cubs conclude their seven-game homestand with two more against the Twins on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.
Can’t solve Festa
Making his fifth big-league start since his debut on June 27, Festa (2-2) allowed two hits and two walks while throwing 82 pitches, one more than the previous high for the 24-year-old right-hander.
Minnesota drew within 3 1/2 games of American League Central-leading Cleveland, the closest the Twins have been to first place since before play on May 18.
“It really just comes down to execution,” Festa said. “I thought I didn’t execute enough important pitches in the first couple outings. There’s been guys on, but I’ve made that important pitch, and I’m just happy about that.”
Festa emphasized the importance of staying in command through the second and third times through the batting order.
“Another really good outing from him in a packed stadium, in a place with a lot of emotion. He was able to slow it down really good,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Came out really sharp. He missed a bunch of bats today. He had a lot of different things working, and then towards the end of the outing, he held it together really well.”
Caleb Thielbar, Jorge Alcala, Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax finished a four-hitter for the Twins, with Jax getting three outs for his eighth save in 12 chances.
Royce Lewis hit a third-inning sacrifice fly, and Manuel Margot homered in the fifth off Kyle Hendricks (3-10), who allowed five hits in six innings. Ryan Jeffers grounded into a run-scoring double play in the ninth.
Matt Wallner followed Lewis’ fly in the third with a drive that center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong lost in the twilight. Right fielder Mike Tauchman couldn’t react quickly enough, and the ball fell on the warning track. Trevor Larnach tried to score from first base on what was scored a double, but Crow-Armstrong threw to shortstop Dansby Swanson, whose one-hop relay to catcher Miguel Amaya was in time for the tag.
Trainer’s room
Cubs: RF Seiya Suzuki sat out with neck soreness but is expected by manager Craig Counsell to return to the lineup Tuesday. … Cody Bellinger has been Chicago’s DH since returning from a fractured left middle finger last week, but Counsell said that he’s still been struggling when he tries to “make throws with intent.” Bellinger will not play in the field during the Cubs’ series against the Twins. … RHP Adbert Alzolay is scheduled to undergo right forearm surgery on Tuesday.
Up next
Twins RHP Pablo López (10-7, 4.65) starts Tuesday seeking his third consecutive winning decision. LHP Shota Imanaga (8-2, 3.09) starts for the Cubs with three straight no-decisions following a July 10 win at Baltimore.
First pitch at Wrigley Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.