Castro Lifts Cubs Past Twins In 10 Innings
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Starlin Castro atoned for a costly error the previous night with a two-run single in the in the 10th inning on Saturday, helping the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Castro's error at shortstop in the first inning on Friday night got the Twins rolling to a 7-2 victory. But he ripped a one-out pitch from Blaine Boyer (2-3) into center field to break a 1-1 tie and help the Cubs improve to 7-3 in extra-inning games this season.
Jon Lester allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings for the Cubs, and Anthony Rizzo had two hits and an RBI. Jason Motte (4-1) pitched a scoreless inning for the win and Hector Rondon picked up his 12th save in 15 chances.
Trevor May gave up one run in six innings for Minnesota, which had won three in a row. Kurt Suzuki connected for this third homer.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before the game he was not considering a position change for Castro, who has 14 errors this season. He compounded his latest one on Friday when he was sulking after the ball went right through his legs. He retrieved the ball and stared at it in frustration while Eddie Rosario hustled home, prompting an incredulous look from starter Kyle Hendricks.
Castro apologized after the game and took the blame for the loss, then looked to be pressing early on Saturday. He singled off May in the fourth, but slammed his bat in frustration after striking out in the sixth.
He got another chance in the 10th and delivered, pumping his fist and shouting at first base. Chris Denorfia followed two batters later with an RBI single for a little more breathing room. He then ended the game with a leaping stab of a liner by Brian Dozier.
The clutch hitting came after the Cubs squandered two chances for big innings earlier in the game and ensured that a strong start from Lester would not go to waste.
Suzuki put Minnesota in front in the second inning, driving a 93-mph fastball 410 feet into the seats in left. It was the 10th homer of the year allowed by Lester, which is tied with Travis Wood for the most on the team.
But Lester retired 10 in a row after the shot by the light-hitting catcher, and Rizzo doubled home Addison Russell in the third.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: OF Jorge Soler was still favoring his sprained left ankle during batting practice on Saturday, Maddon said. But Soler did some light running and could start a rehab assignment early next week.
Twins: INF Eduardo Nunez was given the day off after he was hit in the hands by a pitch on Friday night. Manager Paul Molitor said Nunez was available but still sore.
UP NEXT
RHP Kyle Gibson (4-5, 3.33 ERA) starts the series finale for the Twins against RHP Jake Arrieta (6-5, 3.40 ERA). In eight home starts this season, Gibson is 3-2 with a 2.84 ERA. Arrieta is coming off of a rough start in which he walked a career-high six while giving up five runs in four innings.
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