Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/21/21): Twins 9, Cubs 5 – Barraclough Gets Donuts as Visitors Glaze Cubs

The Cubs opened up a two-game series against the Twins Tuesday night at a cool and windy Wrigley Field. Chicago had a lot of chances to score early on but could not plate enough runs to withstand the Minnesota onslaught in the middle innings and took the loss.

The Twins began the scoring; in the top of the 1st inning with a pair of sacrifice flies against starter Alec Mills. Mills settled down after that, retiring 10 straight hitters at one point. Trayce Thompson and Willson Contreras hit home runs in consecutive frames to give the Cubs a 3-2 lead after three, but it wouldn’t last.

Minnesota got to Mills in the 4th inning with a three-run rally built around a home run from Nick Gordon. They added two more in the 5th to end the Cubs starter’s night and put the road team up 7-3.

A two-run single from Patrick Wisdom cut the lead in half in the 6th but the Twinkies struck right back with two in the 7th inning to end the scoring. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The Cubs left numerous runners on base throughout the early innings. Those runs would’ve kept the game a bit closer if they had come in.

Key Moment

Matt Duffy stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 4th with the Cubs trailing 5-3, but Kyle Barraclough was able to strike Duffy out on three pitches to end the threat

Stats That Matter

• Mills started out well but really fell apart in the middle innings: 4 IP, 7 R, 6 ER, 8 H, 4 K, and 2 BB.
• Frank Schwindel hit a double to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.
• Rafael Ortega had a pair of hits and a walk. One of the knocks came against a left-hander, which is a rarity for the Cubs outfielder.

Bottom Line

If you’re a fan of the Cubs improving their draft position, you got the outcome you wanted. Minnesota is now just one game ahead/behind for the seventh pick and the Cubs have a 1.5-game gap with Kansas City for the ninth pick.

On Deck

The Cubs wrap up the series Wednesday night at 6:40pm CT. Kyle Hendricks takes on Joe Ryan in a game airing on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.