In the Cubs’ 8-1 win Thursday, Rea held the Twins to three hits and one run through seven innings. He not only set the team up to avoid a sweep in Minnesota but also gave the bullpen rest going into a three-game series against the Yankees that’s expected to open with a bullpen day.

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two home runs in the Chicago Cubs' win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, marking his fifth multi-home run game of the season.

With two home runs that fueled an 8-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, the 23-year-old recorded his fifth multi-homer game in his 92nd game this season. That's the most by a Cubs player since Derrek Lee had eight in 158 games in 2005.

After being hit by a pitch on Wednesday night at Target Field and leaving the game with a left hand contusion, star center fielder Byron Buxton was not in the starting lineup for the Twins in the series finale against the Chicago Cubs.

Sports Newsletter All of the Chicago sports stories making news as they break, plus headlines every morning.

PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Colin Rea (6-3, 4.13 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 60 strikeouts); Twins: Chris Paddack (3-7, 4.64 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 68 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs will aim to stop a three-game road skid when they face the Minnesota Twins.

Minnesota Twins All-Star Byron Buxton left Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs after he was hit in the hand by a pitch, putting his status for next week's Home Run Derby and All-Star Game in doubt.