By Greg Halbleib
The CornBelters open their final road trip of the regular season at Evansville tonight through Thursday before visiting the River City Rascals this weekend. The Belters are tied with the Rascals for the final Frontier League playoff spot with 12 games remaining. Pre-game tonight on WJBC.com from Evansville is at 6:20. Right-hander Chris Carmain starts on the mound for Normal.
The Chiefs tied Wisconsin with an inside-the-park homerun only to lose in the 10th to the Timber Rattlers 8-7.
The Cardinals open a week-long homestand tonight as the Mets visit St. Louis. Lefty Jonathon Niese starts for the Mets while Jaime Garcia takes the ball for the Cardinals.
The Cubs beat the Padres 5-1 behind a strong mound outing from Jon Lester and home runs from Addison Russell, Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward. Bryant’s homer was his 32nd to move him back into a tie with Colorado’s Nolan Arenado for the National League lead. It was also Bryant’s league-leading 100th run. Tonight Jake Arrieta starts on the mound for the Cubs against Padres lefty Christian Friedrich.
The White Sox return to the diamond tonight on the South Side as the Phillies visit. Right-hander Jake Thompson goes for the Phillies against Sox lefty Carlos Rodon.
Swimmer Ryan Lochte has lost four sponsors due to his actions at the just concluded Summer Olympics. Speedo USA announced it is dropping the swimmer over a drunken incident in Rio that he initially described as an armed robbery. Clothier Ralph Lauren has also pulled its support as have a skin care company and Japanese mattress maker.
