By Greg Halbleib
The Bears are 0-3 after a 31-17 loss to Dallas in the Sunday night NFL game. The Cowboys scored on all four of their possessions in the first half to take a 24-3 halftime lead and ended an eight-game home losing streak.
The Packers beat the Lions 34-27 as Aaron Rodgers completed two of his four touchdown passes to Jordy Nelson. The Colts scored late to beat the Chargers 26-22. The other NFL winners were the Dolphins, Bills, Ravens, Raiders, Redskins, Vikings, Broncos, Rams, Seahawks, Eagles, Chiefs and Patriots. The Falcons and Saints meet in the Monday night game in New Orleans.
The Cubs beat the Cardinals 3-1 for win number 99. Jon Lester worked six shutout innings and David Ross hit a solo home run. The Cards are now a half-game behind the Giants in the race for the second National League wild card spot. The Cardinals host the Reds tonight with Cards network pre-game on AM 1230 WJBC at 6:20. The Cubs are in Pittsburgh.
The White Sox blanked the Indians 3-0, preventing the Tribe from clinching the American League Central at home. Carlos Rodon struck out a career-high 11 hitters over eight innings. The Sox return home to host the Rays tonight.
In women’s soccer, Illinois State beat IUPUI 4-1 on the Redbirds’ Senior Day and Illinois Wesleyan lost at Thomas More 3-0.
Kevin Harvick won the NASCAR stop in New Hampshire to earn a spot in the second round of the Sprint Cup playoffs.
Rory McIlroy won the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup bonus worth $10 million with a late comeback, coming back from three shots down with three holes to play to force a three-way playoff.
A sports legend is gone. Arnold Palmer was 87. He died in Pittsburgh of complications from heart problems. Palmer won seven major golf titles with 62 PGA victories, and after retirement he designed hundreds of courses including The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington.
The baseball world continues to mourn the sudden death of Marlins ace right-hander Jose Fernandez, who was one of three people killed in a boat accident.
