Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/18/26): Cubs 6, Twins 2 – W on Championship Reunion Day
The Cubs honored the 2016 World Series championship team at a warm and sunny Wrigley Field before Saturday’s game against the Twins. As for the current squad, they jumped ahead to an early lead before escaping a possible 9th inning meltdown with the help of one of the weirdest double plays you will ever see.
Chicago struck first when Michael Busch hit a solo home run off of Taj Bradley in the opening inning that landed in the hands of Anthony Rizzo in the right field bleachers. Minnesota answered back when Kody Clemens took Matthew Boyd deep in the top of the 2nd to tie the score.
The North Siders went ahead for good in the bottom of the frame when catcher Miguel Amaya hit a two-run double that made it 3-1. An RBI single by Nico Hoerner and a ground-rule double from Pedro Ramírez brought home two more runs in the 3rd, increasing the margin to 5-1.
Boyd eventually went six frames, giving up only the one homer, but Caleb Thielbar allowed a second solo blast to Clemens that trimmed the Twinkies’ deficit to 5-2 in the 7th. Ramírez picked up a second RBI on a single in the bottom of the frame to restore the Cubs’ four-run advantage.
Chicago went with Jacob Webb in the final inning, and the first two Minnesota batters singled to bring Brooks Lee to the plate. Lee hit a line drive into the gap that Pete Crow-Armstrong made a diving attempt to catch, but it came out of his glove. That result led to mass confusion on the bases, with Josh Bell freezing between third base and home. Amaya fired to third and got Bell as Lee went back to second, but he had to scramble back to first because Victor Caratini was already there. Alex Bregman‘s throw had already arrived, resulting in a double play that would have embarrassed a rec-league coach.
Webb proceeded to record the final out after all that craziness and finish off the 6-2 Cubs victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
Amaya and Bregman each made very heads-up plays to take advantage of the Twins’ baserunning disaster. If they hadn’t, things might’ve gotten a little too interesting in the last at-bat.
Why the Cubs Won
Quality starting pitching and much more production with runners in scoring position made the difference.
Stats That Matter
- Boyd has been much closer to his 2025 form since returning from his knee injury: 6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 K, and 1 BB.
- Hoerner had a perfect afternoon with four singles.
- Ramirez got on base three times and had two big hits with runners on.
Bottom Line
The Cubs recovered nicely from a tough game on Friday night with a good all-around effort. Hoerner getting back on a roll like he was in the first month of the season would be a huge boost. The goal is just to keep winning each series, as that will keep them in the driver’s seat for the postseason.
On Deck
The deciding game of the series is Sunday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Shōta Imanaga duels with Zebby Matthews in a contest available on Marquee with radio coverage on The Score.
