By Greg Halbleib
Pontiac girls tennis captured a 5-4 win over Mendota on the Williamson Field courts.
Girls high school volleyball wins went to U-High over Prairie Central while Eureka handed Tri-Valley their first loss.
El Paso-Gridley boys and Eureka girls won the Heart of Illinois Conference golf tournaments.
The Cardinals tore the cover off of a few baseballs while pillaging the Pirates 12-5. The Cards hit five home runs, including a fourth-inning grand slam by Aledmys Diaz, a three-run shot by Jhonny Peralta and long balls from Matt Adams, Randal Grichuk and Matt Carpenter. The Cards remain one game behind the Giants in the race for the last National League wild card spot. The rematch tonight features right-handers Anthony DeSclafani for the Reds and Mike Leake for the Cardinals.
The Cubs thwarted a ninth-inning rally and beat the Pirates 6-4. Chris Coghlan hit a bases-loaded triple. John Lackey gave up one run in his five innings. The series continues tonight in Pittsburgh with Jake Arrieta taking on Jameson Taillon in a battle of right-handers.
The White Sox beat the Rays 13-6 for their fourth straight win. Chris Sale recorded his 17th win to tie a career best. Tonight on the South Side, it’s Rays lefty Blake Snell against Sox righty Miguel Gonzalez.
The Bears have signed some help at running back with Joique Bell, who has played with the Lions for the last four seasons. Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey are injured, forcing the Bears to find some backfield help. The Bears also placed cornerback Kyle Fuller on injured reserve as he continues to recover from an August knee surgery. The Bears host the Lions on Sunday.
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt could be out for the rest of the season after reinjuring his back in the Texans’ loss to the Patriots last week.
