By Greg Halbleib
The CornBelters exploded with three home runs in a five-run fourth inning and put up a snowman in the sixth, then hung on for a 13-8 win over the Gateway Grizzlies to earn their first sweep of the season and their eighth win in the last 10 games. The Belters finally have some home weekend games as the Florence Freedom are in town tonight through Sunday. 6:35 first pitch tonight with the broadcast on WJBC.com at 6:20.
Former Tri-Valley High School distance standout Stephanie Brown has qualified for tonight’s semifinals in the 1,500 meter run in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon. Former Illinois State standout Brittany Smith finished 6th in the shot put. Another former Redbird, Leigh Petranoff, advanced to tomorrow’s finals in the javelin.
Six members of the Bloomington Bobcats baseball team in the Midwest Collegiate League have been named all-stars. They include pitchers Cody Silverthorn and Mitch Wies, catcher Pat Mollo, first baseman Garrett Shea and outfielders Cody Rogers and Grant Anderson. Illinois State’s Braden Niksich will represent the Northwest Indiana Oilmen at the All-Star Game. It will be on Tuesday night in Whiting, Indiana.
The Cardinals ended their three-game losing streak and the Pirates’ seven-game winning streak with a 5-1 matinee win at Busch Stadium. Randal Grichuk broke a tie with a solo homer and Stephen Piscotty hit a three-run shot. The Cardinals are in Milwaukee tonight with right-handers Michael Wacha and Jimmy Nelson starting on the hill.
The Braves beat the Cubs 4-3 in 11 innings on a two-out RBI single by Tyler Flowers. Nick Markakis homered twice including the tying solo drive in the ninth inning. The Cubs travel to Pittsburgh tonight. Jake Arrieta against Francisco Liriano.
The Braves stay in Chicago as they begin a weekend set tonight with the White Sox, who were off yesterday. Matt Wisler versus All-Star Chris Sale is the mound match-up.
The Chiefs ended a homestand with a 3-2 win over Kane County in 12 innings.
Cardinals rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz will replace his teammate Matt Carpenter on the National League roster for next week’s All-Star game. Carpenter is on the 15-day disabled list after leaving Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh with a strained right oblique.
Today’s Wimbledon slate is highlighted by the men’s semifinals following yesterday’s straight-sets victories by Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber in the women’s semis. Third seed Roger Federer and No. 6 Milos Raonic get things started on Centre Court today before second seed Andy Murray faces No. 10 Tomas Berdych.
