Ian Happ and Michael Busch homers power Cubs past Twins 8-2

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Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ, right, celebrates with Christian Bethancourt after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong catches a fly ball by Minnesota Twins’ Jose Miranda during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad throws against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Minnesota Twins’ Matt Wallner watches his one-run double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Minnesota Twins shortstop Willi Castro, right, looks to first base after forcing out Chicago Cubs’ Christian Bethancourt during the third inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Emmy Award-winning actor Brendan Hunt throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

By SCOTT HELD

CHICAGO (AP) — Ian Happ and Michael Busch homered and five Chicago pitchers combined for a six-hitter as the Cubs beat the Minnesota Twins 8-2 on Wednesday.

Javier Assad worked the first four innings and Jorge López (2-2) worked two innings and earned the victory. The Cubs took the last two games of the three-game series and have won six of their last eight.

Minnesota’s Trevor Richards (2-2), who entered when starter Joe Ryan’ left in the third, didn’t make it out of the inning. Richards allowed three runs after walking five and throwing two wild pitches. One of the errant throws allowed a run to score and the Cubs added a run on Seiya Suzuki’s bases-loaded walk. Isaac Paredes added a sacrifice fly as the Cubs moved out to a 4-2 lead.

“We did a nice job taking advantage of that,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Kind of kept moving the line and made Richards throw a lot of pitches.”

The Cubs’ relievers held the Twins to just three hits after Assad departed.

Ryan, who gave up Busch’s solo homer in the first, left four pitches into the third inning with right triceps tightness.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Ryan will be evaluated further after a few days and added the 28-year-old right-hander could miss some time moving forward.

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After Ryan left the game, the Twins struggled.

“We didn’t play great from that point on,” Baldelli said.

Happ hit a two-run homer off Josh Winder in the fourth inning, a 376-foot shot that landed in the palm of the hand of a fan standing in the party deck in right field. Dansby Swanson and Christian Bethancourt added RBIs off Caleb Theilbar in the eighth.

“When you find momentum like this, you want to take advantage,” Bethancourt said after the Cubs completed a 5-2 homestand.

Assad allowed three hits and both Minnesota runs. He walked two and struck out one. Matt Wallner had an RBI double in the first and Brooks Lee added an RBI groundout in the second.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: … Wallner was hit in the arm by a pitch from Assad in the third inning, but remained in the game. … CF Austin Martin took a Julian Merryweather pitch off his left shoulder in the ninth, but went to first without assistance.

UP NEXT

Twins: After a day off Thursday, play a doubleheader Friday against visiting Cleveland. RHP Bailey Ober (11-5, 3.69 ERA) is scheduled to start one of the games. The Guardians have not named starters.

Cubs: Off Thursday before taking on the crosstown rival White Sox on Friday. RHP Jameson Taillon (7-6, 3.25) faces White Sox righty Garrett Crochet (6-8, 3.19).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb