Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/17/26): Twins 5, Cubs 2 – One Big Inning Makes Difference in L

The Cubs began the second half hoping to keep their positive momentum going against the Twins on a beautiful Friday night at Wrigley Field. Unfortunately, they squandered a couple of excellent early scoring chances, and one big inning doomed them to a series-opening loss.

Chicago rallied immediately against Minnesota starter Bailey Ober with a pair of walks and an RBI single by Michael Busch in the first three batters of the game. They eventually stranded the two runners after the single, then stranded two more in the bottom of the 2nd to maintain that 1-0 lead.

Colin Rea ran into big issues in the top of the 3rd when an infield single and a throwing error by Busch put the first two men on base. The Twins tied the game on an RBI single by Trevor Larnach, then catcher Ryan Jeffers hit a three-run homer to put the North Siders behind 4-1.

The Cubs got one back in the bottom of the 6th when Seiya Suzuki scored on a wild pitch from old friend Tommy Nance. Minnesota increased the margin back to three when pinch-hitter Ryan Kreidler singled in a run off of Drew Pomeranz in the top of the 7th. The road team would eventually win by that same 5-2 total. (Box score)

Key Moment

The failure of the Cubs to come through on their scoring chances in the first two innings came back to haunt them.

Why the Cubs Lost

Things got away from them in one bad inning and the lineup failed to produce.

Stats That Matter

• Rea did a pretty good job as his defense let him down a bit: 6 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 6 K, and 1 BB.
• Nico Hoerner had a pair of singles.
• Dansby Swanson got hit in the face by Busch’s throw in the 3rd inning, but he stayed in the game.

Bottom Line

That was a frustrating first day back from the break for the Cubs. There are only so many opportunities in a baseball game, and not taking advantage of them usually comes back to bite you. Minnesota made the most out of their chance and ended up victorious.

On Deck

The second game of the series is Saturday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Matthew Boyd takes on Taj Bradley in a matchup broadcast on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.