CHICAGO -- The baseball that Cubs third baseman Isaac Paredes launched into left field in the first inning on Tuesday night defied the strong wind that had Wrigley Field’s flags flapping in from center. It answered the question as to whether his pull-side power would play in the old ballpark.

Paredes’ shot undoubtedly lost some distance, but the ball traveled far enough, dropping into the basket that sits atop the bricks and ivy. The three-run blast was Paredes’ first homer since being acquired by the Cubs at the Trade Deadline, and it helped propel the North Siders to a 7-3 victory over the Twins.

The three-run outburst fueled by Paredes in the opening frame helped back a stellar start from Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga, who tied a career best with 10 strikeouts. He went seven innings and limited Minnesota to a pair of runs on two hits and a walk with both runs coming via a Royce Lewis homer in the fourth.

Paredes finished with four RBIs -- the third baseman also went the opposite way for a run-scoring single off Twins starter Pablo López in the third -- for his best offensive day since joining the Cubs. Chicago landed the All-Star at the Deadline from the Rays in exchange for Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge and Minor Leaguer Ty Johnson.

In his first seven games for the North Siders, Paredes went just 3-for-27 (.111 average) at the plate. The third baseman had a few long, grinding at-bats and a pair of doubles along the way, but the results had not gone his way since donning the new uniform. The Cubs will hope Tuesday’s performance will serve as a turning point in his new surroundings.