MINNEAPOLIS — The Cubs’ 4-2 defeat Wednesday at the hands of the Twins ensured a series loss to a losing team.
The Cubs will battle to avoid a three-game sweep in the series finale Thursday afternoon.
For the second consecutive game, the Cubs — who entered play Wednesday ranked second in the majors in runs scored — couldn’t come up with the big hit when they needed it.
‘‘It was a quiet night again,’’ manager Craig Counsell said after the game. ‘‘The Twins have a very good bullpen, so it’s inherent that you get their starters. And the first two days of the series, we have not.’’
The Cubs’ only rally came in the fourth inning. It featured two singles, two walks and a fielder’s choice, accounting for their only runs of the game.
In his last start before the All-Star break, rookie right-hander Cade Horton allowed four runs and six hits in 4⅔ innings.
‘‘There’s just a couple of pitches that I wish I could have back,’’ Horton said. ‘‘And I’ve got to live with it.’’
He pointed to the pitch that hit Twins leadoff hitter Byron Buxton on the hand to put a runner on to begin a two-run first and the ‘‘hung curveball’’ that Matt Wallner hit over the right-field fence to lead off the second.
The outing raised Horton’s ERA to 4.45 through his first 11 major-league outings.
‘‘Overall, he’s done a nice job navigating his way the first time through the league,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘And [he] feels strong, feels like he’s learning and getting better. All in all, he’s held his own, for sure.’’
