MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins got excellent performances by their starting pitcher and clean-up hitter in Friday night's 7-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Starter Phil Hughes pitched eight innings, allowing only two hits and one run while striking out four to improve his season record to 5-6.

The Twins provided Hughes with plenty of run support -- scoring two runs in three separate innings off Chicago starter Kyle Kendricks.

Third baseman Trevor Plouffe drove in four earned runs on two doubles to give Minnesota a big lead. Plouffe was also responsible with scoring two more runs (both unearned) in the first inning when he hit a routine double play ball to Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro -- who booted it, allowing Brian Dozier and Eddie Rosario to score.

With the win, Minnesota improves to 37-30 on the season.

The weekend series with the Cubs continues today at 1:10 p.m. with Trevor May (4-5) taking the mound for the Twins against Jon Lester (4-5).

 

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