Hughes Cruises as Twins Clobber Cubs 7-2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Phil Hughes held the Chicago Cubs to two hits over eight innings, Trevor Plouffe doubled twice and drove in four runs and the Minnesota Twins breezed to a 7-2 victory Friday night to start their interleague series.
Anthony Rizzo homered twice for the Cubs. After his leadoff shot in the fourth, Hughes retired the last 15 batters he faced.

Hughes (5-6) struck out four without a walk for his first win in four turns, a big boost for a pitcher who was Minnesota’s best starter last season but has stumbled a bit while trying to recoup some of his velocity.

Brian Dozier and Eddie Rosario had two hits each and scored twice, Eduardo Escobar drove in a run and hit one of six doubles by the Twins, who won for the third straight time after losing 11 of their first 15 games in June.