Cubs 8, Twins 0
MINNEAPOLIS -- Jake Arrieta threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just four hits and striking out seven as the Chicago Cubs won 8-0 in the rubber match of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Sunday.
Arrieta improved to 7-5 and lowered his season ERA to 3.07. He retired 12 in a row between the fourth and eighth innings.
Chicago finished the series with 30 hits over the final two games of the series, including 12 on Sunday.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo had two hits, including a solo homer, and center fielder Dexter Fowler had a grand slam.
A sacrifice fly by shortstop Starlin Castro in the third inning and Rizzo's solo blast in the fifth gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead through the middle innings before Chicago broke the game open with a six-run eighth.
A two-run single by designated hitter Kyle Schwarber made it 4-0 before the Cubs loaded the bases for Fowler, who sent a 2-1 fastball from Twins reliever Michael Tonkin over the wall in right for his second career grand slam.
Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. It snapped a five-game streak of consecutive quality starts by Twins pitchers.
Minnesota has now scored two or fewer runs 13 times in 20 games this month. It was the sixth time this season the Twins were shut out.
NOTES: Cubs C/DH Kyle Schwarber was optioned to Triple-A Iowa following the game. Schwarber entered play Sunday with a .389 average with a homer and four RBIs over his first four major league games. ... Twins RHP Ervin Santana tossed 5 2/3 innings at Triple-A Rochester on Saturday as he readies to return from an 80-game suspension for PED usage. Santana is set to return to the majors on July 5. ... The Cubs return home on Monday to open a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. ... The Twins open a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox on Monday at Target Field.