By Greg Halbleib
The Pirates beat the Cardinals 5-2 behind offense from two former St. Louis players. Eric Fryer collected two hits and three RBIs and David Freese drove in the deciding run in the sixth inning. Lefties meet tonight in the rematch at Busch Stadium, Jeff Locke for the Pirates and Jaime Garcia for the Cardinals. 6:20 Cards network pre-game on AM 1230 WJBC.
The Reds topped the Cubs 9-5 as John Lackey is now 0-3 in his last five starts after giving up five earned runs on six hits and five walks in his six innings. This afternoon at Wrigley Field, the Reds’ Anthony DeSclafani and the Cubs’ Adam Warren hook up in a mound match-up of right-handers.
The Yankees clobbered the White Sox 9-0. Tonight on the South Side, right-handers Michael Pineda for the Yankees and Miguel Gonzalez for the Sox.
The CornBelters spoiled a pitching gem from Chris Carmain and gave up a 3-0 lead in the eighth, but Craig Lepre slapped a bases-loaded single in the 10th for his third RBI of the night for a 4-3 win over the Gateway Grizzlies. The series continues at 6:35 tonight at the Corn Crib with WJBC.com pre-game at 6:20.
The Chiefs took advantage of five Kane County errors for a 7-5 win.
The Cubs have become the first team since the 1976 Reds to have five players voted as All-Star Game starters. The Cubs’ entire infield of first baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Ben Zobrist, shortstop Addison Russell and third baseman Kris Bryant were elected along with Chicago outfielder Dexter Fowler. Pitchers Jake Arietta and Jon Lester were also chosen. The Cardinals will be represented by infielder Matt Carpenter, and the White Sox lone representative is major league wins leader Chris Sale.
The Cardinals have placed slugger Brandon Moss on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle and recalled outfielder Randal Grichuk from Triple-A Memphis.
The Illinois State women’s basketball program has announced Zakiya Beckles a 5-6 point guard from new jersey has signed her National Letter of Intent.
The Williams sisters have stayed on track to meet in the Wimbledon final. Top seed Serena has moved into the semifinals for the 10th time while Venus Williams advanced with a straight set win.
