Sports with Greg

Sports with Greg

By Greg Halbleib

 

The CornBelters lost their final homestand opener 12-5 to Evansville. The visiting Otters broke open a close game with a six-run eighth inning. The Belters are 4 1/2 games out of a playoff spot with five games left. The rematch is tonight at the Corn Crib as right-hander Horacio Acosta starts on the mound with his 9-3 record. Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 6:20.

The Chiefs are back in action tonight hosting the Beloit Snappers.

In high school volleyball, Pontiac lost to Streator 25-10, 30-28.

Illinois State volleyball’s home opener is tonight as St. Louis University visits Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.

Former Illinois State and Central Catholic long snapper Chris Highland has been cut by the New Orleans Saints. Other former Redbirds cut were defensive end Shelby Harris by the Jets and Colton Underwood as a tight end by the Raiders.

The Cardinals edged the Brewers 2-1 in Milwaukee with Randal Grichuk responsible for the game-winner with a single in the top of the 10th inning. Zach Duke left the bases loaded with a strikeout to end the game. The Cards now lead the Mets and Pirates by 2 1/2 games for the second National League wild card spot. Right-handers Luke Weaver for St. Louis and Matt Garza for the host Brewers are on the mound tonight.

The Cubs shut out the Pirates 3-0 as Kyle Hendricks lowered his Major League-best earned run average to 2.09. Anthony Rizzo homered. Pittsburgh’s Ryan Vogelsong and the Cubs’ Jason Hammel take the ball tonight in the rematch.

The Tigers doubled up the White Sox 8-4 behind four RBIs from Ian Kinsler including a two-run homer. The rematch features a marquee pitching match-up, Sox lefty Chris Sale and Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander.

Former Illinois State and Central Catholic long snapper Chris Highland has been cut by the New Orleans Saints. Other former Redbirds cut were defensive end Shelby Harris by the Jets and Colton Underwood as a tight end by the Raiders.

The Bears have placed quarterback Connor Shaw and center Hroniss Grasu on season-ending injured reserve. Shaw, who was vying for a roster spot, suffered a gruesome left leg injury near the end of Saturday’s preseason loss to Kansas City. Grasu tore the ACL in his right knee when he fell without being touched during a practice at Soldier Field in early August.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to miss at least the upcoming season while recovering from a dislocated left knee and torn ACL suffered in a freak practice injury. The non-contact injury occurred when he tried to plant his left foot to throw a pass.  Veteran quarterback Shaun Hill is expected to replace him.