>>Six-Run Ninth Lifts Marlins Over Cubs
(Chicago, IL) -- Carlos Marmol walked the bases loaded before Greg Dobbs clubbed a three-run double in part of a six-run ninth inning as the Marlins rallied to crush the Cubs, 6-3, on Thursday night at Wrigley Field. Gaby Sanchez, Hanley Ramirez and Mike Cameron each plated a run during the decision frame for Florida, which has won six games in-a-row. Edward Mujica was credited with the win. Marlon Byrd blasted a solo home run and Geovany Soto went 4-for-4 for the Northsiders, who went into the ninth inning leading 2-0. Matt Garza struck out six through seven scoreless frames in a no-decision. Marmol finished with four walks and five earned runs on one hit without recording an out to absorb the loss. Ryan Dempster will toe the rubber opposite Ricky Nolasco in this afternoon's second installment.
>>THURSDAY'S SCOREBOARD
MLB NL
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Colorado Rockies 12, Milwaukee Brewers 3
San Francisco Giants 6, San Diego Padres 2 (12 inn)
MLB AL
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Cleveland Indians 8, Baltimore Orioles 4
Toronto Blue Jays 16, New York Yankees 7
Minnesota Twins 8, Kansas City Royals 4
Texas Rangers 5, Seattle Mariners 0
>>White Sox Kick Off Second Half
(Detroit, MI) -- The Chicago White Sox kick off the second half of their season tonight as they square off against the Detroit Tigers in a three-game set at Comerica Park. Gavin Floyd will be on the bump opposite Justin Verlander in the opener. The Southsiders dropped five of their last six games heading into the All-Star break to sit at 44-and-48 on the season. Chicago is five games back of the Tigers atop the AL Central standings.
>>Cardinals At Reds Tonight
(Cincinnati, OH) -- The Cardinals return from the All-Star break to begin the second half of the season tonight against the Reds in Cincinnati. St. Louis sends Jake Westbrook to the mound, while Cincinnati counters with Johnny Cueto [[ KWAY-toh ]]. The Cards won their final two games before the break and are tied with the Brewers atop the NL Central with identical 49-and-43 records.
>>Cards Could Seek Pitching Help
(Cincinnati, OH) -- As baseball begins its second half and the pennant races heat up, the focus will shift to the non-waiver trade deadline at the end of the month. With the NL Central battle very tight between the Cards, Brewers, Pirates and Reds, St. Louis could look to make a move. GM John Mozeliak [[ mo-ZAY-lack ]] says they are most interested in a starting pitcher or bullpen arm.
>>Owners, Players Reportedly Agree On Rookie Wage Scale
(New York, NY) -- The NFL may be a step closer to ending the lockout. ESPN reports owners and players have agreed in principle to a rookie wage scale. That item has been a major hurdle in the ongoing labor negotiations. The NFL Network reports owners have made concessions regarding the fifth-year compensation for rookies. League owners are scheduled to meet in Atlanta next Thursday with the hopes of having a new collective bargaining agreement proposal to vote on. Training camps are slated to open later this month, with the NFL Hall of Fame Game scheduled for August 7th.
>>Former Fighting Illini Guard To Play In Turkey
(Undated) -- Former Illinois point guard Demetri McCamey signed a one-year deal with Mersin in Turkey on Thursday. The 6-foot-3 guard was projected as a second-round pick in the recent NBA Draft but was not selected. McCamey could face another former Illini player and current New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams, who recently signed with Besiktas in Turkey.
