By Greg Halbleib
The Cardinals offense hit high gear in a 10-3 win over the Brewers, led by a 4-for-5 Matt Carpenter with his second straight four-hit night and a three-run homer by Jedd Gyorko. The series concludes today in Milwaukee with lefty Jaime Garcia on the mound for the Cardinals as the Brewers hand the ball to right-hander Zach Davies. 12:30 first pitch here on WJBC.
The Cubs experienced a rarity–losing a game with Jake Arrieta on the bump. After winning 23 consecutive Arrieta starts, the Cubs lost to the Dodgers 5-0 after Arrieta shut out L.A. through seven innings. Tonight’s pitching match-up at Wrigley Field is right-hander Mike Bolsinger for the Dodgers against Cubs lefty Jon Lester.
The White Sox came from behind for a 6-4 win over the Mets. Tyler Saladino gave the Sox the lead with a two-run homer after Todd Frazier clubbed his American League-leading 16th round tripper. The series concludes with a matinee in New York with Miguel Gonzalez for the Sox against Jacob de Grom for the Metropolitans in a battle of right-handers.
The CornBelters short winning streak ended with a 4-1 loss to the Washington Wild Things in the home stand opener. Rematch tonight at the Corn Crib at 6:35 with a 6:20 pre-game on WJBC.com.
The Peoria Chiefs reached Brewers starter Matt Garza for three runs in a rehab start in a 5-1 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
Normal West girls soccer season ends in the Supersectional at Springfield with a 2-1 loss to Rochester. Freshman goalkeeper Bekah Nielsen stopped 29 shots in the loss.
Normal West softball moves on to the Class 4A Sectional final on Saturday at Normal Community High School after the Wildcats recorded a 5-1 win over United Township High School of East Moline. The Wildcats will face either O’Fallon or Edwardsville, whose semifinal was rained out and is scheduled for today in Collinsville.
Washington beat Streator 12-0 in a 3A softball sectional semifinal at Chillicothe.
Illinois State men’s basketball coach Dan Muller has filled a vacancy on his staff with the owner of a championship ring. Brian Reese played on North Carolina’s 1993 national championship team and joins the Redbird staff after one season as head coach at Division II Georgian Court University.
Ken Hitchcock says next season will be his last behind the bench. He signed a one-year contract to return for his sixth and final season as head coach of the Blues. It will be the 20th season as a head coach for the 64-year-old Hitchcock.
The NFL Pro Bowl is moving to Orlando at Camping World Stadium, formerly the Citrus Bowl. Former host Honolulu, Houston and Sydney also bid for the game.
