Arrieta Pitches Shutout, Fowler Hits Slam, Cubs Beat Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched a four-hitter and Dexter Fowler hit a grand slam, leading the Chicago Cubs over the Minnesota Twins 8-0 on Sunday.
After walking a career-high six in his last start, Arrieta (6-6) didn't walk anyone and struck out seven for his second career shutout and first since last Sept. 16 against Cincinnati.
Minnesota has lost 10 of its last 15 and has been blanked three times in June.
Fowler's second career slam capped a six-run eighth inning. The shot brought the several thousand Cubs fans at sold-out Target Field to their feet for a prolonged standing ovation and "Let's go Cubs!" chant.
Kyle Gibson (4-6) took the loss.
Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run in the fifth. Starlin Castro added three hits and an RBI and rookie slugger Kyle Schwarber drove in two runs.
Before the game, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said the plan was still to send Schwarber back to Triple-A Iowa.
Last year's No. 4 overall pick was called up to give the Cubs an extra hitter during this past week's stretch of interleague games.
Schwarber went 8-for-22 with six RBIs and dropped in a two-run single to left-center during the big eighth inning.
After Joe Mauer doubled off the left-field wall in the first, Arrieta set down 21 of the next 23 batters. The right-hander struck out the side in the fifth and has won three of his last four decisions.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: An MRI on CF Aaron Hicks' injured right forearm was "favorable." GM Terry Ryan hopes Hicks won't need more than 15 days on the DL.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Tsuyoshi Wada (1-1, 3.68) faces Clayton Kershaw (5-4, 3.29) to start a four-game series at home with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Wada tossed seven scoreless innings in his last start.
Twins: Coming off a win over St. Louis where he allowed one run in seven innings, Tommy Milone (3-1, 3.67) faces the Chicago White Sox and John Danks (3-7, 5.16) on Monday night.
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