Jeffers hits 3-run HR to back Ober in the Twins' 5-2 win over the Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan Jeffers hit a go-ahead three-run homer, Bailey Ober struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Friday night.

The Twins got back to .500 for the first time since April 22. They have won three straight and 10 of 14.

Ober (7-3) allowed five hits and two runs in his second strong start since returning from the IL on July 9. He made his first start against the Cubs, giving him a start against every team in the majors except Minnesota.

Yoendrys Gómez worked a hitless ninth for his 12th save.

Colin Rea (7-6) struck out six in six innings for the Cubs. He allowed five hits, four runs (three earned), and walked one.

Michael Busch had an RBI single to right in the first for the Cubs. They threatened for more with runners at the corners and no outs, but Ober worked out of the jam.

Trevor Larnach tied it with an RBI single in the third, and Jeffers' eighth homer of the year put the Twins ahead for good two pitches later.

Seiya Suzuki scored on a sixth-inning wild pitch by Tommy Nance to bring the Cubs within one. The Twins got the lead back to three with Ryan Kreidler's RBI single in the seventh.

Twins RHP Taj Bradley (9-3, 3.59 ERA) was set to start opposite Cubs LHP Matthew Boyd (5-1, 4.50) on Saturday.

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Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong reveals the 2027 MLB All-Star Game logo before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea throws to a Minnesota Twins batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Minnesota Twins shortstop Tristan Gray throws to first base during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Minnesota Twins pitcher Bailey Ober delivers to a Chicago Cubs batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Minnesota Twins' Ryan Jeffers hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

PHOENIX (AP) — Major League Baseball's new Automated Ball/Strike system was implemented to help players challenge pitches that they feel were not called correctly.

There's one big caveat — it only works if it's used.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and three-time All-Star Ketel Marte learned that the hard way Friday night when Marte failed to challenge a called strike three by umpire Bill Miller for the final out in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Television replays showed that the 100 mph sinker from Riley O'Brien was high and out of the strike zone.

The D-backs still had both of their ABS challenges remaining.

“I was looking for a breaking ball,” Marte said through an interpreter. “Got the two-seamer and I was a little bit surprised.”

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said he hadn't talked to Marte about the gaffe and would address it with him Saturday. It was a tough night for the veteran second baseman, who also made an error in the first inning that led to two unearned runs.

“Clearly — I don't want to speak for Ketel — you guys will have a chance to talk to him, but he thought it was a strike," Lovullo said. "Sometimes you've got to trust your own instincts. Possibly thought it was a good pitch, checked off of it and lost the ability to challenge as soon as he stepped across home plate.”

The D-backs had plenty of other mistakes that led to the end of their four-game winning streak. One of the most frustrating: Pinch runner Jorge Barrosa was picked off in the ninth after Nolan Arenado drew a leadoff walk.

Lovullo said the team would learn from the mistake and the manager refused to pin the loss on Marte.

“We're not perfect, it's frustrating of course, but there are 15 other things that happened in this game that are still eating at me right now and we'll address them one by one,” Lovullo said.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jorge Barrosa reacts after getting picked off firstbase in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, July 17, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien celebrates after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game, Friday, July 17, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte reacts after a wild pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)