The CornBelters dropped their toughest loss of the season so far as the River City Rascals hit a two-out ninth-inning home run to tie and scored an unearned run in the tenth for a 3-2 win. The Belters try to bounce back tonight at the Corn Crib, lefty Max Homick for Normal and right-hander Tim Koons for River City on the mound. Pre-game on WJBC.com is 6:20 with a 6:35 first pitch.
The Astros beat the Cardinals 5-2 behind 7-plus innings from Doug Fister, who helped his own cause with a two-run single in the seventh. The Astros have won nine straight with Fister on the mound. The rematch has an earlier start of 6:15 at Busch Stadium. Right-hander Collin McHugh for the Stros and Adam Wainwright for the Cardinals are on the mound tonight.
The Cubs beat the Nationals 4-3 with a ninth-inning rally capped by a go-ahead double from Albert Almora Junior, who had just been called up from AAA Iowa. The Cubs have MLB’s best record at 44-19 and it’s their best start since 1918. A late afternoon rematch today in Washington features right-handers Jason Hammel for the Cubs and Steven Strasburg for the Nationals.
The White Sox lost to Tigers 11-8 after digging a big early hole for the second straight night, but no comeback this time. Tonight on the South Side, right-hander Mike Pelfrey starts for the Bengals while 10-2 lefty Chris Sale takes the ball for the Sox.
Rain prevented the Chiefs and Lumberkings from playing in Clinton. They’ll play a doubleheader today.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had his primary target back for the start of minicamp when Alshon Jeffery practiced with the team for the first time since last season. The two have a lot of catching up to do in the new Bears’ offense after Jeffery followed up an injury-filled season by staying away from the team’s voluntary organized team activity work at Halas Hall. Cutler says he’s not worried and he expects Jeffery will be ready for the season.
