Landon Smith and Chance Payne hit home runs and Mt. Pulaski rolled to an easy 15-3 win over Meridian in non-conference high school baseball action Monday in Macon. 

Payne's grand slam in the third broke the game open for the Hilltoppers. 

Landon Smith finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Franklin Wake and Aaron Volle drove in two runs for Mt. Pulaski. Volle was 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored.

Liam Smith struck out nine in five innings of work. He allowed three unearned runs with four walks and permitted three hits.

The Hilltoppers go to 19-1 overall. They will host Athens in Tomahawk Conference action on Wednesday.

Normal Community combined to score 43 runs in two easy victories over Peoria, 29-1 and 14-0 Monday in a Big 12 doubleheader sweep for the Ironmen in high school baseball action.

Kaileb Hackman and Dexter Niekamp both went yard in the opener. Hackman was 2-for-2 with a homer, a double, and five RBIs. Niekamp was 1-for-1 with a grand slam. Alex Herren had three RBIs while Riley Hendren and Ryan Thiele each doubled. Hendren, Reid Johnson, Luke Railey, and Justin DeHaii drove in two for the Ironmen. 

In the second game, Railey, Johnson, and Ben Schweigert drove in two runs to pace a 14-run attack. Collin Kearfott doubled for the Ironmen. Brady Burkhart had two hits for Normal. 

The Ironmen drew 14 walks in the second game and had just six official hits. 

Jack Richards struck out 11 in four innings of one-hit ball. 

Normal Community is 23-2 overall and 12-0 in the Big 12 Conference. They will take on inner-city rival Normal U-High on Wednesday.

Jack Livengood limited Normal West to four hits over 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball as Peoria Notre Dame blanked the Wildcats 5-0 Monday in Big 12 high school baseball action in Peoria. 

Livengood struck out eight, walked three, and allowed four hits.

Brady Hart was 2-for-3. Trent Durham walked twice and Sam DesCarpentrie and Bradyn Whitehead had a hit apiece for the Wildcats.

DesCarpentrie allowed five runs, one was earned in six innings on four hits with four strikeouts to two walks for the Normal West.

The Wildcats fall to 13-11 overall. They will host Peoria Notre Dame on Wednesday.

Max Kepler had a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Monday night for their eighth straight win.

Byron Buxton doubled to lead off the ninth against John Brebbia (0-1). Kepler, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the sixth, then drove him in with a line-drive single to right.

Caleb Thielbar pitched out of a first-and-third jam in the ninth, striking out Korey Lee to end the game after walking Tommy Pham and giving up a two-out single to Robbie Grossman.

Joe Ryan threw six solid innings for the Twins. Coming off a win against the White Sox last week at Target Field, he gave up two runs and six hits.

Brock Stewart worked the seventh, Griffin Jax (2-2) dodged a first-and-second jam in the eighth when he struck out Eloy Jiménez to end that threat, and Thielbar finished up to earn his second save.

Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer in the second to tie the score before Minnesota beat Chicago for the 12th time in the last 13 games. The Twins also matched their best winning streak since also winning eight straight in June 2011.

Andrew Vaughn lined an RBI double and scored in a two-run first to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead, but they couldn’t hang on after winning a season-high three in a row.

Garrett Crochet pitched five innings for the White Sox, allowing two runs and five hits after dropping his previous three starts. The left-hander struck out seven and walked one.

Michael Soroka (0-3, 6.83 ERA) will take the mound for the White Sox after lasting five innings, giving up four hits and striking out one against the Twins on Thursday. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 2.45) starts for Minnesota. He went five innings against Chicago last week, allowing seven hits and striking out six.

Christopher Morel hit a two-run homer off Edwin Díaz to snap a ninth-inning tie and the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 3-1 on Monday night after being held hitless by Luis Severino into the eighth.

Swanson singled off Severino with nobody out in the eighth for Chicago's first hit, putting runners at first and second following a leadoff walk to Michael Busch.

With runners at the corners and one out, pinch-hitter Nick Madrigal hit a broken-bat grounder to third baseman Joey Wendle, who had just entered for defense.

Wendle easily could have thrown out Busch at the plate, cutting off the tying run. Instead, the veteran infielder made an ill-advised decision to try for an inning-ending double play. Madrigal beat the relay to first and the Cubs evened it 1-all.

Brandon Nimmo hit his 13th career leadoff homer for the Mets, but Jameson Taillon shut them down after that in a fast-moving pitchers' duel that zipped by at a breakneck pace.

Mark Leiter Jr. (1-1) got two outs for the win, and Héctor Neris worked around two walks in the ninth for his fourth save. With two runners aboard, he struck out pinch-hitters DJ Stewart and Brett Baty to end a game that took just 2 hours, 5 minutes.

Mike Tauchman doubled off Díaz (0-1) with one out in the ninth. One out later, Morel drove a 3-1 fastball to left-center for his fourth home run.

Cubs RHP Javier Assad (2-0, 2.00 ERA) starts Tuesday night against LHP Sean Manaea (1-1, 3.33) in the second game of the four-game series.

Raiden Colbert homered and drove in three, Hayden Romano went the distance in a shutout effort as Monticello downs Warrensburg-Latham 8-0 in non-conference high school baseball action Saturday in Monticello.

Colbert hit a solo homer and doubled in another as the senior was a triple shy of the cycle, finishing 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.

Romano struck out seven in seven shutout innings. The sophomore walked one and allowed three hits. 

Luke Teschke and Jacob Long drove in runs for the Sages. Matt Swartz was 2-for-3 with a run scored for Monticello.

The Sages go to 24-2 overall. They have an Illini Prairie Conference showdown with St. Joseph-Ogden on Monday in St. Joe up next.

Normal Community swept Plainfield North in a Saturday doublehead, 5-2 and 8-1, to extend a six-game winning streak from Plainfield in non-conference high school baseball action Saturday.

Luke Drengwitz and Kaileb Hackman each homered in the opening contest. Drengwitz hit a three-run home run in the second inning. Hackman opened the scoring for Normal with a solo shot in the first. 

Owen Cavanaugh finished 3-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored while Brady Burkhart was 1-for-3 with a double.

Three Ironmen pitchers combined to limit Plainfield North to a run. Ethan Eberle struck out five in 1 2/3 shutout innings. Hackman three two hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

In the second game, four Ironmen arms combined for a five-hitter. Cavanaugh threw two innings with three strikeouts and permitted the only run. Burkhart struck out two in an inning of work while Kyle Beaty and Parker Michels each threw a scoreless inning. 

Connor Kearfott was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and scored twice. Jack Richards, Luke Railey, and Reid Johnson each drove in runs for Normal.

With its two wins, Normal Community improves to 22-2 overall. They travel to Peoria on Monday.

Normal West split a double dip with Hononegah on Saturday, winning the opener 3-2 but dropped the second game, 11-7.

Sean Jenkins went six inings of two-run ball for Normal West. The junior struck out eight, walked one and allowed four hit. Leif Blair finished off the win for the Wildcats.

Brady Hart and Jenkins drove in runs. Trent Durham and Chase Reinhart stole bases for the Wildcats.

In the second game, Hart drove in two finishing 2-for-4. Knuth, Sam DesCarpentrie, and Jaxson Crancer doubled for Normal West. Crancer, Knuth, and Alex Olson drove in runs for the Wildcats.

With Saturday's split, Normal West goes to 13-10 overall. They are at Peoria Notre Dame on Monday. 

Illinois (25-16, 11-4) dropped its series finale to Maryland (27-17, 7-10), 11-7, today at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium.

Vytas Valincius led the way at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run, double, home run and five RBI. Connor Milton also went yard in the contest, going 1-for-3 with two runs, a home run, an RBI and a walk. Cal Hejza reached base safely four times, going 2-for-3 with two runs and two walks.

Trailing 7-1, the Illini began chipping away at the deficit in the fourth, when Valincius led off the inning with a solo blast to left center. The Orange and Blue scored two more in the fifth, with Milton launching a solo round-tripper over the batter's eye and Valincius bringing home another run with a sacrifice fly to make it 7-4.

Maryland scraped a run across in the seventh but Valincius would come up clutch in the eighth, clearing the bases with a two-out, three-run double to make it 8-7.

Illinois left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.

The Illini dropped two out of three over the weekend. Tey host Indiana State Tuesday.

Erick Fedde pitched a seven-hit ball into the ninth inning, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Sunday for a sweep of their three-game series.

White Sox LHP Garrett Crochet (1-4, 6.37 ERA) starts Monday night against Minnesota.

Illinois State dropped the series finale at Murray State with a 15-12 final at Johnny Reagan Field.

Senior Auggie Rasmussen delivered four RBIs for the Redbirds (21-20 overall, 9-9 MVC) but the Racers move to 26-17 overall and 9-9 in the MVC.

ISU scored three times in the 1st inning to lead 3-0, including a two-run home run by redshirt junior Judah Morris.

Murray State scored the game's next eight runs off a grand slam, two-run home run, and two-RBI double to lead 8-3 after two innings.

Rasmussen sent out a three-run home run in the 3rd inning to cut the deficit to 8-6.

The Racers scored seven of the game's next nine runs off four home runs to lead 15-8 after six innings.

A solo home run from junior Noah Rabin in the 7th inning brought the 'Birds to within 15-9.

In the 8th, Rabin narrowed the margin with a two-RBI double before Rasmussen drove in Rabin to trim the deficit to 15-12 as ISU would not push across another run.

Illinois State concludes a five-game road trip as the Redbirds head to Iowa City on Tuesday to face Iowa. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT.

Mark Vientos hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning on his second day in the majors this season to give the New York Mets a 4-2 comeback victory over the St.

Louis Cardinals that prevented a three-game sweep Sunday.

New York was 0 for 15 with runners in scoring position and down to its last strike when Harrison Bader singled home automatic runner DJ Stewart from third base with the tying run.

Vientos, who singled as a pinch hitter in the ninth, then drove a 1-2 pitch from Matthew Liberatore (0-1) just beyond the glove of a leaping Michael Siani at the center-field fence.

Brendan Donovan singled home the go-ahead run for St. Louis in the top of the 11th after making three outstanding defensive plays earlier in the game.

Reed Garrett (5-0) worked two innings for the win, allowing just an unearned run. He joined Jesse Orosco (August 1983) as the only Mets relievers to win five games in a month.

Francisco Lindor hit a tying homer in the sixth and stole two bases for New York, which had dropped five of six.

Jose Quintana tossed eight masterful innings of three-hit ball, becoming the first Mets starter in 27 games this season to reach the seventh. The left-hander threw 99 pitches and walked just one batter.

St. Louis, which finished 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position, was looking for its first four-game win streak since a six-game run July 15-20 last year.

Three brilliant catches by Donovan in left field helped Lance Lynn keep the Mets scoreless until Lindor's opposite-field homer on the ninth pitch of his at-bat leading off the sixth.

Masyn Winn doubled off Quintana to open the fifth and scored on a nicely executed safety squeeze by Siani, his first RBI in 76 major league plate appearances with Cincinnati and St. Louis.

Cardinals LHP Steven Matz (1-2, 5.55 ERA) starts Monday night in Detroit against RHP Kenta Maeda (0-1, 5.96). Matz is 7-0 with a 1.78 ERA versus AL Central opponents. The Cardinals have faced the Tigers in three World Series (1934, 1968, 2006), winning twice.

Tyler O’Neill hit a game-ending bloop single to give the Boston Red Sox a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night.

Jarren Duran hit a two-run triple and Connor Wong drove in two runs with a pair of two-out singles, helping Boston to the win in the rubber game of the weekend set. The Red Sox beat the Cubs 17-0 on Saturday.

Chicago trailed 4-1 before Mike Tauchman hit a tying three-run homer against Chris Martin in the eighth inning. Matt Mervis hit an RBI single in the seventh for the Cubs' first run of the game.

For the second straight day, a large gathering of Cubs fans that made the trip to Fenway Park were unable to wave their “W” flags, a staple after wins at Wrigley Field.

Duran led off the ninth with a walk against Mark Leiter Jr. (0-1). He raced to third on Rafael Devers’ single.

O’Neill then hit a shallow fly toward left field. Shortstop Dansby Swanson, playing with the entire infield in, tried to make sliding catch, but it went off his glove and landed in the outfield grass.

Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings. He was charged with one run and four hits.

Kenley Jansen (1-0) worked the ninth for the victory.

Duran’s triple into the center-field triangle made it 4-0 in the sixth.

Boston shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela went 1 for 4 a day after going 4 for 4 with a two-run homer and driving in seven runs.

Despite dealing with injuries to their starting rotation, the Red Sox entered the day with a majors’ best 2.63 ERA, their lowest at this point of a season since 1920.

Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu made a nice running catch on Swanson’s fifth-inning fly ball, and second baseman Enmanuel Valdez had a diving play on Nico Hoerner’s grounder the following inning.

Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya struck out swinging in the third, and his bat went flying over the protective netting. It went into the stands about 10 rows behind the Cubs’ on-deck circle, appearing to strike a fan. Medical personnel were looking at a person’s hand. They left their seat and walked away with the EMTs.

Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (2-0, 1.69 ERA) is set to open a four-game series at the Mets on Monday. RHP Luis Severino (2-2, 2.67 ERA) is slated to start for New York.

Denny Hamlin called his shot ahead of Dover, guaranteeing a win on his podcast, then followed through on his bold boast that would have made the Bambino proud and held off Kyle Larson down the stretch to park his Toyota in victory lane.

Hamlin wiggled past lapped traffic and never let Larson squeak by him over the final laps in a showdown between two of NASCAR’s elite drivers and won the Cup race by about a quarter of a second Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway.

Hamlin has the victory lane celebration down pat this season. He celebrated last week at Talladega Superspeedway in his role as co-owner of 23XI Racing when Tyler Reddick took the checkered flag. Hamlin’s contribution was a bit overshadowed by his fellow team owner — Michael Jordan. For the first time since he became a NASCAR Cup team owner, Jordan was at the track to savor in person a victory by one of his drivers.

Hamlin’s three wins tie him with William Byron for most this season in the series. Hamlin also picked up his 54th career Cup win, all with Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s tied with Lee Petty for 12th on the career Cup list.

Larson finished second and nipped at Hamlin’s bumper for most of the final 25 laps and seemed on the brink of passing the Toyota. Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet just couldn’t close the deal on the mile concrete track. Hamlin took the lead off a restart with 81 laps left and never let it go, repeatedly choking off Larson’s Chevy at the top of the track.

Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott completed the top five.

Up next is Kansas Speedway where Hamlin is the defending race winner.

Clinton and Warrensburg-Latham moved up Friday's scheduled Central Illinois Conference softball matchup to Thursday with rain in the forecast for Friday and it was the Lady Cardinals that rolled to an easy 14-3, five-inning, run-rule victory.

The Lady Cardinals started fast with a six-run first inning then answered with a five-run second inning. 

Emelia Coble hit a home run, doubled, and drove in three to lead Warrrensburg-Latham. Madison Bell-Walters was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Shelby Oakley doubled and drove in a run finishing 2-for-4 for the Lady Cardinals.

Heidi Humble hit a solo home run and scored twice for the Lady Maroons. Brooke Reeves was 1-for-3 with a double. Avery Smith and Ariana Humes had RBIs for Clinton.

Clinton drops to 8-10 overall and 2-5 in the CIC. They will host GCMS on Saturday morning.

Monticello rebounded from two straight losses and took advantage of BCC miscues to roll to an 11-3 win in Illini Prairie Conference high school baseball action Thursday in Bloomington.

Sages hitters drew nine walks and scored 11 runs on ten hits in a rebound performance from dropping back-to-back games after a 22-game win streak to start the season.

Carter Foran and Colton Vance drove in two runs apiece. Ike Young was 2-for-2 with a double, RBI, and two walks. Luke Teschke walked three times and was 1-for-1 with a double, and RBI and scored twice. 

Jacob Long and Dylan Brown drove in runs for the Sages.

Koyie Williams allowed three runs in six innings to pick up the win for Monticello. The sophomore struck out five, allowed nine hits, and walked one. 

Monticello goes to 23-2 overall and 6-1 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They are scheduled to host Warrensburg-Latham on Saturday.

Luke Martin's two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning lifted Mt. Pulaski over Springfield High 3-1 in nine innings Thursday in non-conference high school baseball action from Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield.

Chance Payne's second double of the day set up Martin's heroics in a high school baseball classic. 

Eric Cooper hit a game-tying RBI double in the fourth inning for the Hilltoppers. 

Payne struck out 11 in 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball for Mt. Pulaski. The run was unearned and he allowed two hits and three walks. Martin got the win with 2 2/3 innings of hitless, scoreless relief. Martin walked three and struck out four. 

Payne doubled twice finishing 2-for-4 for Mt. Pulaski.

The Hilltoppers are 18-1 overall. Mt. Pulaski is scheduled to travel to take on Bloomington Cornerstone Christian Academy this afternoon.

A four-run seventh inning helped Auburn take down Maroa-Forsyth 7-4 in Sangamo Conference high school baseball action Thursday in Forsyth.

The big inning was highlighted by a two-run double from Jed Ferguson to break a 3-3 tie. 

Maroa-Forsyth got a run back in its half of the seventh but the Trojans' rally fell short.

Ace Giles doubled in a run for Maroa-Forsyth in the first inning. Andy Munjoy drove in a run as well. Tate Brandenburg finished 1-for-4.

Maroa-Forsyth falls to 16-3 overall and 5-2  in the Sangamo Conference. They are scheduled to host St. Joseph-Ogden this afternoon.

Normal Community scored eight runs in the second inning and made quick work of Urbana 14-1 in a five-inning, run-rule win from Normal Thursday in Big 12 hig school baseball action.

The two squads were set to play on Friday but with rain in the forecast, the game was moved up to Thursday. 

Kaileb Hackman went yard and drove in four runs to lead the Ironmen. Kyle Beaty drove in a run and stole three bases. Riley Hendren tripled and drove in a run while Ryan Theile, Ethan Eberle, and Luke Drengwitz had RBIs for Normal.

Luke Klunke allowed a run in three innings for the Ironmen. He struck out five, walked two and permitted two hits. Luke Railey struck out five and walked one in two innings of hitless, scoreless relief.

Normal Community goes to 21-2 overall and 11-0 in the Big 12. They travel to take on Plainfield North on Saturday.

Taylor Hafermann struck out ten in five innings of two-run ball helping Normal West get by Danville 5-2 in Big 12 high school baseball action Thursday in Danville.

The game was moved up to Thursday with rain in the forecast for Friday afternoon. The Wildcats rolls the Vikings 16-1 on Wednesday. 

Grady DeVors took the loss for Danville going the distance and allowing five runs, four were earned with three strikeouts to three walks and permitted seven hits. 

Brady Hart was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a stolen base, and a run scored. Hafermann was 2-for-2 with an RBI while Chase Knuth was 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.

Ryder Coone picked up the win for the Wildcats with two innings of hitless, scoreless relief. The senior struck out five and walked four.

Normal West is 13-9 overall and goes to 8-4 in the Big 12. They will host Hononegah on Saturday.

The Clinton Maroons split a Wednesday evening doubleheader with Tuscola in Central Illinois Conference high school baseball - one game being a regularly scheduled matchup and the other a make-up of a rainout from earlier in the spring.

The Maroons won the first game 4-2 behind a bullpen day for Clinton. Brooks Cluver, Cole Fentress, and Preston Curtis combined to no-hit the Warriors. 

Fentress allowed two unearned runs and walked four in 2 2/3 innings. Curtis struck out five to close out the win in four perfect innings of work.

Mason Walker was 2-for-3 with an RBI, stole two bases and scored a run. Colton Walker and Aiden Toohill added RBIs. 

In the second game, the Warriors used a six-run fourth inning to get by Clinton 9-6. 

Colton Walker was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Jaxon Reynolds had the only other RBI for Clinton.

Trailing 4-3, Tuscola broke the game open with the six-run inning highlighted by a two-run single by Caiden Russo. 

With the split Wednesday, Clinton is 15-7 overall and 6-2 in the Central Illinois Conference. They will host Warrensburg-Latham on Friday afternoon. Hear the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms.

Brooke Reeves and Heidi Humble each drove in two runs pacing Clinton over Tuscola 7-3 in Central Illinois Conference high school softball action from Tuscola Wednesday.

Reeves finished 3-for-5 with a double, two stolen bases, and two runs scored in addition to her two RBIs. Humble finished 2-for-3 with a triple and her two RBIs.

Avery Smith, Aliviyah Haynes, and Sara Mills also drove in runs for the Lady Maroons. 

Ashley Armstrong went seven innings in circle Wednesday. The senior allowed three runs, one was earned, on six hits while issuing a walk and struck out eight.

Clinton is 9-9 overall and 3-4 in the Central Illinois Conference. They host Warrensburg-Latham this afternoon. 

Jason Decker went the distance pacing Tri-Valley over Monticello 2-1 in a walk-off non-conference high school baseball win Wednesday from Downs.

Decker allowed a run on three hits and struck out five while walking two. 

Matt Swartz drew two walks hitting out of the lead-off spot for the Sages. The junior stole two bags and scored two runs. Jacob Long drove in the lone run for Monticello. 

Eli Craft and Colton Vance had hits for the Sages.

Carter Foran went 6 2/3 innings. The junior allowed two runs, one was earned, on six hits. He struck out six and walked zero hitters. 

After a 22-game win streak to start the year, the Sages have dropped its last two to go to 22-2. They will travel to Bloomington to take on Central Catholic High School today.

Mt. Pulaski easily handled Central A&M 17-3 in a five-inning, run-rule win Wednesday in non-conference high school baseball action in Mt. Pulaski.

Chance Payne doubled twice and drove in three runs while scoring four times for the Hilltoppers. Luke Martin tripled in a 3-for-4 effort and drove in two and scored twice. 

Aaron Volle drove in two runs and got the victory on the bump for Mt. Pulaski. The freshman struck out eight while permitting three unearned runs.

Franklin Wade had two RBIs awhile Landon Smith and Tyler Cross hit doubled for the Hilltoppers. 

Mt. Pulaski is 17-1 overall. They will travel to Springfield this afternoon to take on Springfield High.

Maroa-Forsyth scored three runs in the top of the tenth inning and outlasted Olympia 4-1 in Sangamo Conference high school baseball action in Stanford Wednesday.

An Ace Giles two-run single broke the 1-1 tie and Cayden Rose drove in another run.

Connor Kelly went five innings of one-run ball. He struck out seven, walked three and allowed a hit. Kaiden Maurer went five innings of relief for the win. The senior struck out seven and allowed just one hit. 

Tate Brandenburg finished 3-for-5 with a double for the Trojans. Mitch Williams was 2-for-5 with a double while Rose finished 2-for-5 with a double and two runs batted in. 

Maurer added two hits as well for Maroa-Forsyth.

The Trojans are 16-2 overall and 5-1 in the Sangamo Conference. They host Auburn this afternoon.

Normal West easily dispatched Danville 16-1 in Big 12 high school baseball action Wednesday in Normal.

Sam DesCarpentrie paced the Wildcats offense finishing 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base, and five RBIs. 

Alex Olson was 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, and scored three runs. Jaxson Crancer was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, a stolen base, and scored a run. Blake Crancer scored three runs and stole four bases Wednesday.

Sean Jenkins drove in two runs while Chase Knuth, Brady Hart and Ryder Coone drove in runs as well. Hart had two stolen bases for the Wildcats.

Normal West is 12-9 overall and 7-4 in the Big 12. They travel to Danville on Friday.

Anthony Gura hit a home run and drove in three to pace Normal Community past Urbana 19-0 in Big 12 high school baseball action from Urbana Wednesday.

Kaileb Hackman and Luke Drengwitz doubled and drove two while Riley Hendren and Ryan Theile each doubled and drove in runs. 

Dexter Niekamp triped. Hendren also added a triple for the Ironmen. Kyle Beaty stole two bases and Owen Cavanaugh and Hackman also stole bases in the win.

Normal is 20-2 overall and moves to 10-0 in the Big 12. The Ironmen will host Urbana on Friday.

An Illinois High School Association board member says the organization is seeing a growing number of eligibility appeals. Katy Hasson was speaking on the issue in response to Illinois House Bill 334, which would limit transfer eligibility governance by the IHSA.

Illinois House Bill 334 has passed out of committee but has not been called for a vote on the house floor. Hasson has served on the IHSA board for eight years and has one year remaining on her final term.

In a game heard on WHOW, Willi Castro hit a 3-run home run on his 27th birthday and Joe Ryan pitched six innings for his first win of the year as the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 Wednesday.

Castro’s homer capped a four-run second inning against Chicago left-hander Garrett Crochet. It was his second career home run on his birthday and it drove in Austin Martin and Christian Vásquez.

Crochet (1-4) surrendered five runs on seven hits in four innings. He’s lost his last three outings.

Chicago right-hander Michael Soroka (0-3, 7.50 ERA) is looking for his first win of the year after allowing five runs in each of his last two starts. The Twins announced after Wednesday's game that Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 1.69) will be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to start Thursday's series finale. Bailey Ober's start will be pushed back to Friday in Anaheim.

Lars Nootbaar drove in two runs and Kyle Gibson pitched six effective innings, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of three-game series on Wednesday.

It was the first win in a series finale this season for the Cardinals, who bounced back from a 14-1 loss Tuesday night.

In his 299th start, Gibson (2-2) allowed one run and five hits. Gibson struck out six and walked two. It was his fifth straight start of six innings or more.

Three relievers finished up for St. Louis.

Former Cardinal Jordan Montgomery (1-1) went seven innings in his second start for Arizona since signing a one-year, $25 million deal as this season began. He allowed three runs, two earned, and six hits and struck out four and walked one in his first career start against St. Louis.

Arenado has reached base safely in 23 consecutive games since March 30, tying the injured Christian Yelich for the longest active on-base streak this season.

The Cardinals optioned outfielder Jordan Walker and left-hander Zack Thompson to Triple-A Memphis. Recalled infielder José Fermín and left-hander John King from Triple-A Memphis. The 6-foot-6 Walker is hitting just .155 with no home runs and 4 RBIs. He hit .276 with 16 homers and 51 RBIs as a rookie last season.

The Cardinals are off Thursday. Will start Miles Mikolas (1-3, 6.49) on Friday in New York against the Mets. 

Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer during Chicago's four-run first inning and the short-handed Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Playing without Cody Bellinger, Chicago used Swanson's big swing and a solid start by Jameson Taillon to earn its second straight win. It will try to sweep the three-game set against the struggling Astros on Thursday.

Taillon (2-0) allowed two runs, one earned, and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on a chilly evening at Wrigley Field. The right-hander struck out four and walked two in his second start since he began the season on the injured list with a back strain.

Houston lost for the seventh time in eight games. It has scored a total of 21 runs during the slide.

Houston right-hander Justin Verlander (1-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his second start since he missed the beginning of the season because of shoulder inflammation. Right-hander Javier Assad (2-0, 2.11 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago.

The Chicago Bears rolled out a formal proposal for a new domed stadium on the lakefront in Chicago.

The team says they will contribute $2 billion to build a new stadium that will cost $3.2 billion and it could take $1.5 billion more in infrastructure spending around the stadium site.

To make the difference between what the Bears say they will spend vs the total cost, a current hotel tax needs to be rebonded and extended and new state dollars are being asked for to address other infrastructure spending.

Bears President Kevin Warren says this project needs those dollars to be committed to this spring by state lawmakers – even though the reception from Governor JB Pritzker and legislative leaders has been cool.

Warren admitted that they hadn’t been in direct formal talks with the state over the funding streams.

Regional Radio this week got the chance to chat with White Sox SS Paul DeJong - here's the full version of our conversation with him...

In a game heard on WHOW, Alex Kirilloff hit a two-out, game-ending single after Byron Buxton led off the ninth inning with a tying homer, and the major league-worst Chicago White Sox fell to 3-20 with a 6-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

Chicago joined Cincinnati in 2022, Detroit in 2003, the St. Louis Browns in 1936 and the Cleveland Spiders in 1899 as teams to start 3-20. The 1988 Baltimore Orioles began 1-22.

Eloy Jiménez hit a three-run homer and starter Erick Fedde struck out a career-high 11 batters for the White Sox. 

Fedde allowed one run on three hits - all in the first inning - in his best performance since signing with Chicago during the offseason. The right-hander spent 2023 pitching in South Korea.

After his rocky first inning, Fedde retired the next 13 batters in order. That included two strikeouts each in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings.

Chicago LHP Garrett Crochet (1-3, 5.61 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Joe Ryan (0-1, 3.57) Wednesday night in the third game of the four-game series.

Mike Tauchman hit his first two homers of the season, and the Chicago Cubs took a five-run first-inning lead in a 7-2 win over Houston on Tuesday night that dropped the Astros 10 games under .500 for the first time since 2016.

Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the first off J.P. France (0-3) and Tauchman hit a three-run drive. Tauchman added a solo homer in the eighth against Seth Martinez and tied his career high of four RBIs.

Jordan Wicks (1-2) allowed two runs and five hits in a season-high six innings with no walks and four strikeouts. Chicago has won seven of 10.

The Cubs placed RHP Kyle Hendricks (low back strain) and LHP Drew Smyly (right hip impingement) on the 15-day injured list and designated INF Garrett Cooper for assignment. Chicago recalled RHP Hayden Wesneski, LHP Luke Little and INF Matt Mervis from Triple-A Iowa. 

Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti (0-2, 7.08 ERA) faces fellow RHP Jameson Taillon (1-0, 1.80) on Wednesday, Taillon’s second start this season after recovering from a strained back.

Pavin Smith hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs to help the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 14-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Christian Walker and Kevin Newman also homered for Arizona, which leads the majors with 148 runs.

Tommy Henry (1-1) tossed six effective innings in his first win in five starts this season. The 26-year-old left-hander gave up one run on five hits and struck out six with one walk.

Willson Contreras homered for St. Louis, which has lost five of six.

Contreras left the game in the fifth inning with a sore hand. He is listed as day-to-day.

Arizona LHP Jordan Montgomery (1-0, 1-50) faces RHP Kyle Gibson (1-2, 5.04) in the finale of the three-game series on Wednesday. 

Ryne Pine drove in four runs to pace a balanced Clinton offense that pulled away from Meridian for an 11-1 win in Central Illinois Conference high school baseball action from Clinton Monday.

Pine finished 2-for-2 with a triple and four RBIs. Brock Wilson went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a run scored and walked at the top of the Maroons order.

The Maroons jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings and extended its lead to 8-0 before a three-run sixth inning put the game away on a run-rule walk-off. 

Brooks Cluver was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Colton Walker finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice.

Monday's win was much needed for Clinton who had dropped its last three. 

Mason Walker scored twice finishing 1-for-3 with a walk. 

Clinton goes to 14-6 overall and 5-1 in the CIC. The Maroons are tied atop the CIC with Shelbyville.

In a game heard on WEZC, Indiana commit Henry Brummel had a crowd of big league scouts in Monticello Monday and the Pontiac senior did not disappoint as he carried the Indians to an 8-1 win in Illini Prairie Conference high school baseball.

Brummel struck out 15 across 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball. The one run he allowed was unearned. He worked both sides of the plate effectively with a dominant fastball and a sweeping breaking ball that was unhittable. 

Brummel also finished 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and four RBIs.

Cayden Masching and Henry DeYoung also added run-scoring doubles for Pontiac - who has struggled offensively at times this spring. 

The Indians are without Valpraiso-commit Michael Kuska who is out with an injury this spring. 

Dylan Brown recorded the only extra base hit for the Sages, finishing 1-for-3. Jacob Long was 1-for-3 for Monticello.

Brown's barreled double off the left field fence in the seventh inning earned him the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game for Monticello.

Pontiac goes to 6-11 overall and 4-2 in the Illini Prairie Conference.

Monticello drops to 22-1 and 5-1 in the Illini Prairie. Monticello travels to Downs to take on Tri-Valley on Wednesday.

Meridian's Ashley Schelling was too much for Clinton as Meridian no-hit Clinton -0 in Central Illinois Conference high school softball from Clinton Monday.

Schelling struck out 15 across seven scoreless, hitless innings for the Rams. She issued just two walks in the no-hit effort. 

Only Brooke Reeves and Heidi Humble reached base on the free pas for the Lady Maroons.

Clinton goes to 8-9 overall and 2-4 in the CIC.

A rally for Monticello in the bottom of the seventh inning fell short as Pontiac held off the Lady Sages 4-3 in Illini Prairie Conference high school softball action from Monticello Monday.

Marrissa Miller cleared the bases with a three-run triple in the seventh inning but Monticello could not bring her in as the tying run in the seventh inning. 

Avery Schweitzer, Lynsee Trybom, and Lucy Leatherwood recorded base hits for the Lady Sages.

Cassidee Stoeffel allowed four runs, three were earned, in a complete game effort in circle for Monticello. The sophomore struck out four, walked three, and permitted seven hits.

The Lady Sages drop to 13-10 overall and 2-3 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They are at Urbana this afternoon.

A fast start helped Blue Ridge blank Cerro Gordo-Bement 9-0 in Lincoln Prairie Conference softball action Monday in Farmer City.

The Lady Knights jumped out to a 5-0 lead and added four more runs in the fourth.

Lily Enger paced the Blue Ridge offense finishing 1-for-2 with three RBIs and scored twice. Cassie Zimmerman was 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. 

Ellie Schlieper was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. She also went seven shutout innings in circle for the Lady Knights. Schlieper permitted a hit and issued three walks while striking out nine.

Ellie Hayward added a double for Blue Ridge and Carsyn Stiger drove in a run.

The Lady Knights improved to 7-11 overall and picked up its first Lincoln Prairie win, moving to 1-4. They host Tri-County Wednesday in more Lincoln Prairie Conference play.

Landon Smith homered and Chance Payne had a huge day at the plate leading Mt. Pulaski to an easy 19-1 win over Springfield Lutheran in non-conference baseball action from Springfield Monday. 

Smith was 2-for-3 with a homer, a double, and drove in three runs while scoring three runs. Payne was 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs while scoring three runs for the Hilltoppers. 

Eric Cooper drove in three finishing 1-for-2 and scored three runs. 

Luke Martin added a double and RBI while Colt Selinger, Franklin Wade, Carter Clark, and Tucker Fitzpatrick all drove in runs for Mt. Pulaski. Preston Cowan had two RBIs.

Cooper struck out seven in three innings of one-run ball for the Hilltoppers. Aaron Volle struck out three in a scoreless inning of relief.

Mt. Pulaski is 16-1 overall. They have a tough matchup with Routt Catholic this afternoon.

Normal Community scored ten runs in the first inning and easily took down Peoria Richwoods 17-0 in four innings Monday from Peoria.

Kaileb Hackman was 3-for-3 with a double, four RBIs and three runs scored. Dexter Niekamp went deep for the Ironmen. Luke Drengwitz tripled and drove in two. 

Drew Stevens hit a double. Anthony Gura tripled, had an RBI and scored twice for Normal. Ryan Theile had an RBI as well for the Ironmen. 

Ethan Eberly breezed through four scoreless innings. The Louisville-commit struck out ten, walked two and allowed a hit. 

Normal is 19-2 overall and 9-0 in the Big 12. They travel to Urbana today before hosting Urbana on Thursday in more Big 12 action. 

In a game heard on WHOW, Max Kepler had two hits and three RBIs in his return from the injured list and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 7-0 on Monday night.

Chris Paddack struck out 10 in seven innings to win as a starter for the first time in nearly two years. Edouard Julien homered among his three hits for Minnesota.

Blanked for the eighth time this season and once in each series, Chicago has lost 10 of 11. The White Sox fell to 3-19, the worst record in the majors.

Nicky Lopez and Danny Mendick each had two hits, and Gavin Sheets and manager Pedro Grifol were ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the eighth inning.

Making his second career start, Chicago’s Jonathan Cannon (0-1) allowed nine hits and six earned runs in 3 2-3 innings. He held Kansas City to one run on three hits over five innings April 17.

Three straight one-out singles in the fourth amounted to no runs for Chicago, which has scored an MLB-worst 45 runs this year. Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff snared a 104.7 mph liner from Andrew Vaughn and Paul DeJong struck out on three pitches.

Tuesday’s second game of the four-game set has Chicago’s RHP Erick Fedde (1-0, 3.10) and Minnesota’s Pablo López (1-2, 3.97) as the scheduled starters.

Nolan Gorman snapped an 0-for-19 slump with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the St. Louis Cardinals a 5-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

It was the fourth home run this season for Gorman, who entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth. Paul Goldschmidt, who homered earlier, reached on an infield single before Gorman hit left-hander Kyle Nelson's only pitch into the right-field seats for his first career walk-off RBIs.

Ryan Helsley (2-2) worked a scoreless inning and the Cardinals overcame a 3-0 deficit to halt a four-game losing streak. Lars Nootbaar began the comeback with a two-run single in the sixth.

Eugenio Suárez sparked Arizona with three hits and two RBIs. Ryan Thompson (0-1) took the loss.

Brandon Pfaadt pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks. He retired his first 12 batters before giving up a leadoff single to Nolan Arenado in the fifth.

Lance Lynn lasted five innings for the Cardinals, throwing 94 pitches. He allowed seven hits and three runs, stranding eight baserunners.

Goldschmidt tied it 3-all with a leadoff homer to right-center in the seventh - his first since the season opener. Those are his only two extra-base hits this year. It was the Cardinals' first home run since April 12.

Arizona scored twice off Lynn in the second on an RBI single by Suárez and Ketel Marte's bases-loaded sacrifice fly.

Suárez made it 3-0 in the fifth with a run-scoring double.

St. Louis chased Pfaadt in the sixth. He walked three batters before getting a shallow flyout, but Nootbaar hit a two-run single. Those runs snapped a string of 14 innings without scoring for the Cardinals. Scott McGough entered and got Arenado to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

Steven Matz (1-1, 3.60 ERA) makes his second start against the Diamondbacks in 11 days. Arizona had not announced a starting pitcher for Tuesday night.

Illinois State fell in the series rubber match, 11-1, to Indiana State on Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.

A pair of home runs in the 2nd inning gave the Sycamores an early 3-0 lead before Indiana State added another run in the 3rd inning off a bases-loaded SAC fly to make it 4-0.

Illinois State got on the board in the bottom of the 2nd off an error by the Sycamore left fielder that saw junior Noah Rabin score and junior Tyler Herron advance to third.

The Sycamores added five runs in the 5th inning before scoring twice in the 6th inning to put the game into run-rule territory.

Freshman Matthew Donnison provided 2.1 innings of relief for the Redbirds (20-17 overall, 8-7 MVC), striking out four and giving up two walks.

The Redbirds took the series opener Friday before dropping the next two over the weekend. 

Indiana State (29-8 overall, 12-3 MVC) is now 38-6-1 in MVC play since the start of the final series of the 2022 season and won their 15th straight MVC series.

Illinois State returns to the road for a midweek meeting with Northwestern on Tuesday.

Illinois (23-13, 10-2) beat Northwestern (12-23, 2-10), 11-7 to complete the series sweep at Illinois Field Sunday. 

Coltin Quagliano went 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBI to lead Illinois at the plate. Connor Milton continued his stellar play, going 3-for-5 with two runs, a double, home run and three RBI. Camden Janik also provided some power, slugging a grand slam.

Regan Hall picked up the victory out of the bullpen, improving to 2-1 on the season. The left-hander worked 5.0, allowing two runs, on one hit, and striking out three. Korey Bunselmeyer also had a scoreless relief outing, tossing 1.1 frames while yielding just one hit, with no walks and one strikeout.

Illinois went 6-for-12 (.500) with runners in scoring position.

The Illini have now won seven straight games, matching their season-high mark. They stay home to finish off a long homestand hosting Western Illinois Tuesday night. 

In a game heard on WHOW, Trea Turner stole home, Kyle Schwarber hit a solo shot and Aaron Nola struck out seven in eight innings to help the Philadelphia Phillies complete a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with an 8-2 win on Sunday.

Bryce Harper added a sacrifice fly and an RBI single on his best friend the Phillie Phanatic’s birthday to complete an 8-2 homestand for the Phillies. After splitting a four-game series with Pittsburgh, the Phillies fattened their record with series sweeps of Colorado and the White Sox.

The White Sox send RHP Jonathan Gannon (0-0, 1.80 ERA) to the mound Monday in the start of a four-game series at Minnesota. The Twins send RHP Chris Paddack (0-1, 8.36 ERA).

Jesús Sánchez hit a massive solo homer and an RBI single, helping the Miami Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 on Sunday.

Sánchez, Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Nick Fortes each had two hits as Miami salvaged a split of the four-game series. The last-place Marlins are 6-8 since they opened the season with nine consecutive losses.

Miami right-hander Edward Cabrera (1-0) pitched five innings of three-run ball in his second start. He struck out seven and walked three.

Chicago had won six of eight. Nico Hoerner had three hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, and Mike Tauchman had two hits and scored twice.

Kyle Hendricks (0-3) was pulled after just four innings, allowing four runs and six hits. The right-hander has a 12.00 ERA through five starts this season.

The Cubs went 3 for 16 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.

Adbert Alzolay worked a perfect eighth inning for the Cubs. Alzolay is trying to find his form after he blew four of his first seven save chances this year.

Cubs LF Ian Happ (left hamstring tightness) was out of the starting lineup for the second straight day. But he said he felt good and thought he might be available off the bench. He had a mild left hamstring strain during spring training, but he started on opening day at Texas. 

 The Cubs said OF Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain) was going to try “very light baseball activity.”

Following an off day, Chicago hosts Houston on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game set.

Owen Miller broke a scoreless tie with a two-run single and Colin Rea tossed five shutout innings to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Milwaukee has won four in a row and swept a three-game series in St. Louis for the first time since Sept. 24-26, 2018.

Sonny Gray stuck out 12 batters over 6 1/3 innings for the Cardinals, who have lost four in a row.

Rea gave up five hits over five-plus innings and left after walking Paul Goldschmidt to begin the sixth.

Gray, who signed as a free agent on Nov. 27, allowed five hits and gave up his first two runs of the season. Gray (2-1) struck out 20 batters before giving up his first walk of the season to Joey Ortiz in the fifth.

Reliever Bryan Hudson, who grew up in the St. Louis suburb of Alton, Illinois, retired all seven batters he faced following Rea. Hudson struck out four and picked up his first career win.

St. Louis catcher Willson Contreras extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games with a first-inning single. It is the longest current run in the major and is second this season behind Marcell Ozuna of Atlanta, who had a 17-game streak snapped Saturday.

The Cardinals have dropped eight of their last nine to their NL Central rivals.

Lance Lynn (1-0, 2.18) takes on Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaat (1-1, 5.32) in the opener of a three-game set in St. Louis on Monday. Lynn has posted quality starts in nine of 12 career starts against the Diamondbacks.

Michael Jordan celebrated as if he was still on the court after Tyler Reddick stole a NASCAR Cup victory at Talladega Superspeedway, speeding across the line after front-runner Michael McDowell — swerving back and forth in a desperate bid to hold the lead — crashed with the finish line in sight.

It was another wild Talladega finish — and marked the first time that Jordan, co-owner of the 23XI Racing along with Denny Hamlin, has been at the track to witness a victory for one of his drivers.

McDowell, the pole-sitter, dominated the closing laps and was in position to give Ford its much-needed first victory of the year. But his desperate efforts to block Keselowski, another Ford driver, wound up costing them both.

McDowell spun out, Keselowski had to check up and Reddick sped by to claim his sixth career Cup victory by 0.208 seconds.

All three Toyota teams pitted in tandem with 37 laps to go, going with a strategy that would’ve allowed them to push the pace on the rest of the fuel-saving field — with an idea of drafting all the way to the front for the checkered flag.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep their cars straight.

Just four laps later, with the Toyota train running at a blistering, single-file pace and chasing down the lead pack, John Hunter Nemechek appeared to get into the bumper of Bubba Wallace, who is Reddick’s teammate at 23XI. Wallace then clipped Erik Jones, which sent him smashing hard into the outside wall.

Nemechek then slid down the track and took out Hamlin, as well.

Season points leader Kyle Larson started the race with a huge disadvantage after his team was penalized for altering the roof rails on his No. 5 car on the way to the qualifying line Saturday.

Larson, who had won three straight poles, was barred from qualifying, forced to start from the back of the field and ordered to do a drive-through penalty on the opening lap. He was at least a half-lap behind the field by the time he got up to speed and, without anyone to draft with, was caught by the leaders on the 12th lap.

NASCAR also ejected Larson’s car chief, Jesse Saunders, from the speedway.

Larson was able to work his way back into the mix but he wasn’t a contender at the end. He finished 20th.

The Cup series heads next Sunday to Dover Motor Speedway, where Martin Truex Jr. won the race a year ago.

Monticello was balanced on Thursday afternoon as the Sages beat the weather and Paxton-Buckley-Loda 9-1 in Illini Prairie Conference baseball action on Thursday in Paxton.

Severe weather was in the area Thursday afternoon but held off long enough to get Thursday's action played. 

Matt Swartz, Colton Vance, and Jacob Long each had two RBIs. Swartz was 1-for-2 with a double and run scored. Vance finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs while Long was 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs.

Koyie Williams doubled finishing 2-for-3 and Russ Brown drove in a run in with a pinch-hit double. 

Brody Billedo went 2 1/3 shutout innings with three strikeouts and allowed a hit and a walk. Ike Young went 2 2/3 shutout innings with four strikeouts and allowed a hit and a walk. Hayden Romano finished off the win with 2 innings of one-run ball.

The Sages' win streak is now 22 straight as they go to 22-0. They will host Pontiac Monday in Monticello.

Maroa-Forsyth snapped a brief two-game losing streak with a convincing 14-1 win over Illini Central in Sangamo Conference baseball action on Thursday in Forsyth.

The Trojans broke open a 5-1 game with a nine-run fourth inning. 

Kaiden Maurer and Mitch Williams doubled and scored two runs for the Trojans while Tate Brandenburg drove in two runs. Cayden Rose and Connor Kelly had two RBIs apiece while Zayn Giles and Andy Munjoy also added RBIs. Munjoy finished 3-for-3. 

Brandenburg struck out five in four innings of one-run ball for Maroa-Forsyth. Ace Giles finished off the five-inning, run-rule win for the Trojans with a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout. 

The Trojans go to 15-2 overall and 4-1 in the Sangamo. They host Athens Friday.

Monticello used a balanced offensive attack to roll past Paxton-Buckley-Loda 16-0 in Illini Prairie Conference softball action from Paxton Thursday.

Marrissa Miller was 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored to lead the Monticello offense. Sadie Walsh was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Cassidee Stoeffel was 3-for-3 with two doubles and drove in two. Thea Key and Isa Beery drove in two runs apiece. 

Lucy Leatherwood, Lynsee Trybom, Reese Patton, and Ali Weidner added RBIs for the Lady Sages.

Patton struck out four in four innings of shutout ball. The senior allowed a hit and a walk. 

Monticello has won seven of its last nine to move to 13-9. They host Pontiac on Monday. 

Monticello used a big day at the plate and a bullpen day to roll Salt Fork 10-0 securing the Sages' 21st straight victory to start the season in non-conference high school baseball action from Monticello Wednesday.

Eli Craft and Colton Vance went deep. Craft went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double, and drove in a run. Vance finished 1-for-3 with a two-run blast. 

Matt Swartz hit a two-run triple for the Sages finishing 1-for-2. Carter Foran was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Dylan Brown and Rai Colbert each drove in a run and scored twice.

Forrest Rawdin went two innings of shutout ball getting the start for the Sages. Swartz struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief and Jacob Long struck out three in two innings to preserve the win.

The Sages are 21-0 on the season, continuing to build on its best start in program history. They travel to PBL this afternoon for an Illini Prairie Conference tilt.

Normal Community scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to separate and beat crosstown rival Normal West 9-4 Thursday, sweeping the two-game set this week in Normal.

Owen Cavanaugh cleared the bases with a double in the big sixth inning for the Ironmen. The Senior finished with a team-best five RBIs. Kyle Beaty finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored at the top of the order. Anthony Gura went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Joshua Eisfelder drove in a run.

Sam DesCarpentrie and Brady Hart had RBIs for the Wildcats while Chase Knuth finished 2-for-3 with a double and run to pace Normal West's offense. 

Normal used a bullpen day to limit the Wildcats offense. Kaileb Hackman threw three scoreless innings to close out the win. The senior struck out four and allowed just one hit. 

Ryder Coone was tagged for five runs, three were earned for Normal West. He walked four, struck out three, and allowed five hits. Trent Durham allowed Normal Community's four runs in the sixth inning.

Normal West drops to 8-9 overall and 4-4 in the Big 12. Normal Community goes to 17-1 overall and 7-0 in the Big 12. 

Normal West is back in action Friday traveling to Danville. Normal Community hosts Richwoods on Friday.

Williamsville took down Maroa-Forsyth in a Sangamo Conference high school baseball classic 2-1 Wednesday in Williamsville. 

Jo Catalano struck out seven in five scoreless innings for the Bullets. Brayden Sailing and Kyle Carter drove runs for Williamsville.

Ace Giles drove in the only run for Maroa-Forsyth. Kaiden Maurer, Zayn Giles, Tate Brandenburg, and Cayden Rose had base hits for the Trojans. Maurer and Rose doubled in the loss.

Connor Kelly tossed five innings of relief for the Trojans after Kaiden Maurer threw an inning at the start of the game. Kelly struck out two, walked three, and allowed five hits.

Williamsville is 10-6 and 3-0 in the Sanngamo. Maroa-Forsyth falls to 13-2 overall and 2-1 in the Sangamo. They will host Illini Central today in more Sangamo Conference play. 

Normal U-High scored nine runs in the third inning and rolled past Lincoln 12-1 in a five innings, a run-rule win in Central State Eight high school baseball Wednesday in Normal.

The frustrating inning for the Railsplitters featured a two-run error, two walks with the bases loaded and only six hits in the inning.

Colbie Glenn finished 1-for-3 with the lone RBI for Lincoln. Drew Hayes, Trey Schilling, Brenden Wurth, Michael Lucas and Jarrett Evers had hits for the Railsplitters. 

Griffin Meyer paced Normal U-High going 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Devan Tupper was 1-for-3 two RBIs.

U-High is 12-5 overall moving to 3-1 in the CS8. They travel to Jacksonville this afternoon.

Lincoln falls to 8-7 and 2-3 in the Central State Eight. They travel to Springfield Southeast this afternoon.

The Clinton Lady Maroons seemingly had everything thrown at them Tuesday afternoon but the kitchen sink and in a high school softball game heard on WHOW, outlasted Sullivan 5-3 in walkoff fashion from Clinton High School.

Avery Smith doubled home two runs to give the Lady Maroons the win Tuesday in a game originally scheduled against Hart-Em and then before action could get underway, a weather delay paused the game that was moved up to 4 pm for Hart-Em then 4:15 when Sullivan was added to the schedule.

Smith finished 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs. Heidi Humble drove in the other Clinton run. 

Aliviyah Haynes got the start in circle for Clinton and completed all nine innings. She struck out nine, walked two, and permitted five hits.

With the win, Clinton moves to 8-9 overall. They travel to Shelbyville on Friday.

Erratic pitching late allowed Clinton to get by Rantoul 7-5 in non-conference high school baseball action at Clinton High School Tuesday.

With the score tied at 5-5 and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, Aiden Toohill was hit by a pitch and Ryan Pine drew a walk that each scored a run to put the Maroons ahead 7-5. 

Clinton would hold on for its 13th win of the season, moving to 13-3 overall.

Pine finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Brooks Cluver was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored for Clinton. Colton Walker went 1-for-4 with a double, and RBI and scored twice.

Preston Curtis threw six innings of relief for Mason Walker who permitted three unearned runs in an inning of work.

Curtis struck out three, walked two, and allowed two unearned runs on five hits.

The Maroons are back in action Friday when they travel to Shelbyville.

Marrissa Miller hit two home runs and drove in three runs leading Monticello past Westville 7-4 in non-conference high school softball action Tuesday in Monticello.

Layla Atwood hit a two-run home run in the first inning for the Lady Tigers to go up 4-0.

But Monticello scored three runs in its half of the first to go up 3-2.

Westville answered with another run in the second but Sadie Walsh hit a one-out home run and Miller answered with the first of her two big flies that bounced off the top of the scoreboard in center field. 

The home runs gave Monticello a 5-3 lead.

Miller's second home run just cleared the fence in right-center field in the sixth inning extending the Monticello advantage to 6-3.

Cassidee Stoeffel was excellent in circle for Monticello. The sophomore went the distance allowing four runs but struck out six. She also went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and drew a walk. 

Monticello improves to 12-9 overall. They travel to PBL on Thursday for Illini Prairie Conference action. 

Lance Lynn earned his first win for the St. Louis Cardinals in seven years, a 3-2 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night before a season-low crowd of 3,296 at the Oakland Coliseum.

Lynn (1-0) allowed two runs - one earned - and five hits in seven innings, lowering his ERA to 2.18 in four starts. The 36-year-old right-hander went 72-47 for the Cardinals from 2011-17. After pitching for five other teams, he returned to St. Louis during the offseason for an $11 million, one-year contract.

JoJo Romero and Ryan Helsley each got three straight outs, with Helsley earning his major league-leading seventh save in eight chances.

St. Louis won its second straight over the A's and got back to .500 at 9-9.

Masyn Winn and Jordan Walker hit consecutive sacrifice flies off Dany Jiménez (1-1) as the Cardinals overcame a 2-1 deficit in the sixth. Nolan Arenado led off with a single, Jiménez issued back-to-back walks and center fielder JJ Bleday heaved the ball home with no chance for a play on Winn's fly, allowing the other two runners to advance.

Oakland fell to 3-9 at home and 7-11 overall. The team's average home attendance has been 5,968 through 12 games. The A's have announced plans to move to Sacramento from 2025-27 and Las Vegas after that.

Kyle McCann hit an RBI single in the second and hit his first major league homer, a fifth-inning drive off Lynn that left McCann's bat at 106.3 mph and traveled 385 feet to right-center.

Brendan Donovan had a run-scoring grounder in the third off JP Sears, who allowed two hits in five innings.

Willson Contreras singled in the seventh inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. He has reached base safely in 22 straight games dating to last year.

Cardinals LHP Steven Matz (1-0, 1.80 ERA) starts Wednesday afternoon’s series finale against Athletics RHP Paul Blackburn (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who has yet to allow a run in 19 1/3 innings this season.

Ketel Marte hit a tying solo homer with two outs in the ninth, and Randal Grichuk won it with a pinch-hit RBI double in the 10th, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks to a wild 12-11 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.

The teams split the first two games of the series, which both went into extra innings. They'll play the finale on Wednesday.

Grichuk ripped the second pitch he saw from Drew Smyly (2-2) into the left-center gap, easily scoring Christian Walker from second as D-backs players poured onto the field to celebrate.

The Cubs rallied from two three-run deficits, but still couldn't get the win. Ian Happ hit a go-ahead grand slam as part of a six-run seventh inning that gave Chicago an 11-8 lead, but the D-backs slowly clawed back. Arizona cut the margin to 11-9 in the seventh on Blaze Alexander’s double and 11-10 in the eighth on Joc Pederson’s sacrifice fly.

Then came Marte's homer off Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay - a liner that barely cleared the right-center wall. After an official review, the homer was confirmed. Marte finished with four hits.

Happ hit his first homer of the season off lefty Kyle Nelson, turning on a cutter and sending a line drive into the D-backs' bullpen. Christopher Morel had a sacrifice fly and Garrett Cooper added an RBI single before Happ's crucial homer.

Nico Hoerner had four hits for Chicago, including a double and triple.

The game was marked by big swings, with the D-backs taking a 4-1 lead after four innings. The Cubs responded with four runs in the fifth before the D-backs scored four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning for an 8-5 advantage.

It was another tough outing for Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, who gave up seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. The veteran right-hander has been hit hard in all four of his outings this year and now has a 12.71 ERA.

Michael Busch's five-game streak with a homer came to an end. The Cubs rookie - who tied a franchise record with his long-ball streak - was 0 of 4 with a walk and run scored.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a two-run homer and Pederson added a solo shot in the third inning to give the Diamondbacks a 4-1 lead. Gurriel has five homers and 20 RBIs through 17 games.

D'backs left-hander Tommy Henry gave up five runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings. Kevin Ginkel (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless 10th inning.

The teams wrap up the three-game series on Wednesday afternoon. The D-backs will throw RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-0, 6.48 ERA) and the Cubs counter with LHP Jordan Wicks (0-2, 5.68 ERA).

The Kansas City Royals’ game at the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night has been postponed because of rain.

It will be made up on Wednesday afternoon as part of a straight doubleheader.

Kansas City beat Chicago 2-0 in the series opener on Monday night.

White Sox right-hander Jonathan Cannon takes the mound in the doubleheader opener for his big league debut. Right-hander Brady Singer starts for the Royals.

Kansas City right-hander Michael Wacha and Chicago right-hander Erick Fedde start the second game.

Mt. Pulaski used a five-run fourth inning to get by Riverton 9-4 Monday in non-conference high school baseball action from Mt. Pulaski.

Luke Martin drove in three runs for the Hilltoppers finishing 3-for-4 with a double. Landon Smith hit a two-run triple finishing 1-for-3. Liam Smith, Franklin Wade, and Tucker Fitzpatrick drove in runs.

Fitzpatrick, Eric Cooper, and Chance Payne hit doubles for the Hilltoppers while Cooper logged three stolen bases to Fitzpatrick's one.

Cooper allowed an unearned run in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out six, walked five, and permitted three hits.

Aaron Volle held on in the final 2 2/3 innings for the win. He allowed three runs, two were earned, on five hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Mt. Pulaski is 13-1 overall. They host Heyworth this afternoon. 

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond brought home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning and took down Blue Ridge 7-6 in Lincoln Prairie Conference high school softball action Monday in Arthur.

ALAH took control of the game with a five-run fifth inning to go up 6-4. Blue

Ridge came back to tie the game in the seventh on a two-run double from Cassie Zimmerman.

But Anna Rawlins walked it off for the Lady Knights in the bottom of the seventh.

Zimmerman finished 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Karlee Fenton was 2-for-3 with two RBIs for the Lady Knights.

Blue Ridge stole eight bases highlighted by Addison Roos' four. Lily Enger and Zimmerman stole two bases apiece.

Blue Ridge drops to 4-9 overall and 0-4 in the Lincoln Prairie. They will host PBL this afternoon.

Nico Hoerner scored the tying run from second base on a wild pitch in the ninth inning, then delivered the go-ahead single in the 11th as the Chicago Cubs rallied past the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Monday night.

Michael Busch homered for the Cubs leading off the second on an 0-2 pitch from Merrill Kelly. It was the rookie's sixth of the season and fifth straight game with a home run, tying the franchise record.

Busch walked in the 11th and Garrett Cooper singled, moving automatic runner Nick Madrigal to third against Kevin Jarvis (0-1) and loading the bases. Hoerner followed with a single to right field, advancing all three runners one base.

Chicago was unable to tack on, but Keegan Thompson (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win, walking one and striking out three. He fanned Christian Walker with the potential tying run on third to end it.

Corbin Carroll’s two-out RBI single off reliever Drew Smyly in the eighth gave the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead, but the Cubs tied it in the ninth against Kevin Ginkel. Hoerner and Mike Tauchman singled with one out. After a strikeout, Ginkel bounced a pitch that rolled away from catcher Gabriel Moreno, and Hoerner raced all the way around from second.

Cubs rookie Ben Brown, making his second career start and fourth appearance, retired his last 13 batters and only gave up one hit in six innings. But it was an RBI single by Jake McCarthy that followed two walks in the second. Brown struck out four.

Hack Wilson, Ryne Sandberg, Sammy Sosa, and teammate Christopher Morel also homered in five consecutive games for the Cubs.

Kelly lasted five innings, throwing 95 pitches. He gave up five hits, walked two and struck out five.

Before the game, the Cubs placed OF Seiya Suzuki on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, which occurred Sunday while running to first base in Seattle. Chicago recalled OF Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa to replace him.

Kyle Hendricks (0-2, 12.08 ERA) faces Diamondbacks LHP Tommy Henry (0-1, 5.79) on Tuesday.

Sonny Gray struck out six and didn't walk a batter over six scoreless innings to beat his former club with career win No. 100, and Willson Contreras doubled twice and drove in a run for the St. Louis Cardinals in their 3-1 win against the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

Nolan Arenado hit an RBI single in the first to stake Gray (2-0) to an early lead against an Oakland team that had won three of four and drew a crowd of 5,508.

Esteury Ruiz was called up by Oakland shortly before first pitch from Triple-A Las Vegas and hit a pinch homer in the eighth.

Closer Ryan Helsley struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth for his sixth save in a game that lasted 2:19.

A's starter Ross Stripling (0-4) left in the sixth and gave way to Michael Kelly, who immediately gave up an RBI single to Jordan Walker. Stripling has allowed 32 hits over his initial four starts since the A's acquired the right-hander in a trade from the Giants.

Zack Gelof had a pair of hits for the A's, who took two of three from the Nationals at home over the weekend and have won three straight series for the first time since May 31-June 16, 2021, when they had five victorious sets in a row.

Lance Lynn (0-0, 2.63 ERA) pitches the middle game of the series for St. Louis opposite LHP JP Sears (1-1, 5.17).

In a game heard on WHOW, Seth Lugo pitched seven crisp innings, Vinnie Pasquantino homered and the Kansas City Royals topped the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Monday night.

Lugo (3-0) allowed four hits - all singles - in his third straight win. The right-hander also beat the White Sox with 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball on April 4.

Andrew Benintendi had two of Chicago's four hits in its fifth consecutive loss - part of a franchise-worst 2-14 start. The White Sox became the first team to get shut out six times in their first 16 games since the 1907 Brooklyn Superbas, according to Baseball Reference.

Braden Shewmake was the only Chicago runner to advance past first base. He singled and swiped second in the fifth, but was stranded there when Robbie Grossman flew to the warning track in right.

Gavin Sheets was hit by a pitch with two down in the ninth, but McArthur struck out pinch-hitter Eloy Jiménez for the final out.

White Sox right-hander Nick Nastrini (0-1) permitted two runs and three hits over five innings in his major league debut. He struck out five and walked two..

White Sox OF Jiménez was activated from the 10-day injured list. The slugger had been sidelined by a left adductor strain.

Right-handers Brady Singer and Jonathan Cannon take the mound on Tuesday night. Singer (2-0, 0.98 ERA) pitched five innings of one-run ball in Kansas City's 13-3 victory over Houston on Thursday. Cannon will make his major league debut for Chicago.

Ashley Armstrong broke a 2-all tie in the bottom of the sixth inning and Clinton rallied past Decatur St. Teresa 3-2 Monday night in non-conference high school softball action in Clinton.

Armstrong's hit came after Hadley Humbled tied the game with a base hit earlier in the inning.

Jalie Eller doubled in a run for the Lady Bulldogs who jumped in front 2-0 in the first inning.

Brooke Reeves was 2-for-4 for Clinton while Armstrong was 2-for-3. 

Armstrong went the distance in circle for Clinton. The senior struck out seven, allowed two runs on five hits and walked zero.

Clinton goes to 6-8 on the season. They will host Hartsburg-Emden on Tuesday afternoon. Hear Tuesday's action on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM/106.5 FM WHOW and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Eli Craft hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the second inning and Monticello held on against Maroa-Forsyth 6-2 in a matchup of undefeated high school baseball teams Monday in Monticello.

The Trojans opened the game with a 2-0 lead. Kaiden Maurer had an infield single kick off the slope of the pitcher's mound that caught Monticello's shortstop off-guard in his pursuit of the groundball to his left.

Mitch Williams worked a walk on a borderline 3-2 pitch from Monticello senior Luke Teschke. After Zayn Giles sacrificed the two over, two passed balls allowed the Trojans to go up 2-0 early.

The Sages got a run back in their half of the first inning on a Teschke RBI triple to right center field. 

Craft blistered another big fly to left following a Jacob Long single to start the inning that put Monticello ahead 3-2.

The game could be a huge indicator of seeding in the upcoming 2A playoffs. Monticello and Maroa-Forsyth are in the same sub-sectional and could see each other again in a Regional or Sectional setting.

The Trojans' defense let them down in the third inning as Monticello added insurance runs. With Ike Young at bat and a third strike in the dirt, Mitch Williams' throw to first base sailed into right field. 

Young took second on a ball in the dirt and then Long singled through the right side of the infield and Young slid around the tag at home plate to make the score 4-2.

In the sixth inning, Dylan Brown singled to start the inning for Monticello. Raiden Colbert doubled down the left field line to set up second and third and nobody out. Eric Arnold, hitting for leadoff hitter Carter Foran, brought in Brown with a sac fly to left field then Matt Swartz singled home Colbert to put Monticello up 6-2.

The game ended after Maurer singled to center field with two outs. Williams then doubled to right field just past the diving attempt by Young.

Maurer was held at third at the last second and Williams took a big turn at second base. The throw went to third base and Monticello got Maurer at home plate trying to score.

Teschke worked through a frustrating start to the game to finish 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball for Monticello. The Illinois State-commit struck out nine, walked three and allowed five hits.

Foran finished the game with an 1 2/3 of shutout ball. 

Maurer led Maroa-Forsyth going 3-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. 

Monday was another classic between two programs that have had a lot of success in recent years and play each other very close when they matchup. 

The Trojans undefeated run comes to an end as they go to 13-1 overall. 

Monticello goes to 20-0 on the season. The Sages are off to its best start since the 2017-18 Sages went 25-5. They will host Salt Fork on Wednesday. 

Ethan Eberle struck out 15 in six innings of one-run ball Normal Community dispatched its crosstown rival, Normal West 6-1 in Big 12 high school baseball at Normal West high school.

The Louisville commit just three over the minimum, walking one and permitted two hits. 

Alex Olson doubled in the only run of the game for Normal West. 

Kyle Beaty and Riley Hendren for the Ironmen. Beaty was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Hendren finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Chase Reinhart went six innings for the Wildcats allowing three runs, one was earned, on three hits with two walks and struck out six. 

Normal West drops to 8-8 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12 while Normal Community improves to 16-1 and 6-0 in the Big 12. 

The two teams play again on Wednesday at Normal Community High School. 

Illinois (20-13) picked up its fourth-straight win with a 21-11 blowout of Northern Illinois (11-24), in seven innings, to complete the weekend series sweep, Sunday at Illinois Field in Champaign. 

Jacob Schroeder and Drake Westcott had monster days at the plate, with the duo slugging three home runs each. They would combine to go 6-for-8 in the game with seven runs, six home runs, 13 RBI and two walks to power an Illini offense that slugged a season-high eight home runs, the most in a single game since at least 2004, falling just one shy of matching the single-game program record.

Ben Plumley picked up the victory out of the bullpen. The right-hander went 1.2 shutout innings without giving up a hit, allowing no walks and striking out three. Payton Hutchings also made an impact on the mound for the Fighting Illini, throwing 1.0 scoreless frames while allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts.

Illinois faced a 6-0 deficit before taking an at-bat in the contest, but got three of those runs back, one on a Cal Hejza RBI-single and a two-run shot from Westcott.

The Huskies pushed the lead to five with two runs in the second, but the Illini would bring the game level with five runs in their half of the frame. Coltin Quagliano brought home a run on a single and Hejza brought home three on a round-tripper right center. Westcott then tied the game with a towering solo blast to right field, making it 8-8.

Northern Illinois broke the tie with a run in the fourth, but Illinois would take the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Wescott completed his home run hat trick by launching another moonshot over the scoreboard to score two runs and open the scoring in the frame. Schroeder followed three batters later with a two-run blast of his own, his second of the game, to cap the frame and make it 12-10.

Cameron Chee-Aloy led off the fifth with a solo home run and Ryan Moerman continued the scoring with a bases-loaded walk. Schroeder cleared the bases with a grand slam and Brody Harding would score on a wild pitch.

Schroeder launched his third home run of the game, a second two-run blast, in the sixth to make it 21-9 Illini, the first time since May 10, 2015, vs. Rutgers that the Illini have scored at least 20 runs in a game.

Schroeder went 3-for-4 with three home runs, eight RBI and walk. Westcott went 3-for-4 with three home runs, five RBI and a walk. 

The Fighting Illini continue this homestand with a midweek matchup with SIUE on Tuesday. 

Illinois State dropped a 13-1 decision in seven innings at Charles A. Braun Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Evansville, dropped all three on the weekend. 

The Aces scored seven runs in the first four innings.

Illinois State scored their lone run in the 6th with a sac fly from sophomore Daniel Pacella.

Illinois State (18-15 overall, 7-5 MVC) totaled three hits. Evansville improves to 18-17 overall and 7-5 in the MVC.

Illinois State remains on the road, facing Lindenwood on Tuesday in St. Charles, Missouri.

Rookie Michael Busch homered for the fourth straight game, Javier Assad struck out six and the Chicago Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Sunday.

Reliever Adbert Alzolay picked off pinch-runner Julio Rodríguez to end the game after double plays ended two rallies. First-base umpire Doug Eddings initially called Rodríguez safe under first baseman Busch's tag, but Alzolay knew the call would be overturned.

Busch’s two-run homer put the Cubs up 3-0 and helped them to their second straight win to take the series from the Mariners. The franchise record for consecutive games with a home run is five, held by four players, including current Cubs slugger Christopher Morel, who did it last season.

The Cubs scored their only other run on a first-inning throwing error by Seattle starter Luis Castillo (0-4), who lost his fourth straight appearance to start the season.

Jorge Polanco hit a two-run homer in the sixth to cut Chicago's lead to 3-2, chasing Assad (2-0). Assad struck out six and walked one in 5 2/3 innings.

The Mariners put two on with no outs to lead off the seventh, but Mark Leiter Jr. induced a grounder from Luke Raley for a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Héctor Neris walked three to load the bases with one out in the eighth, but Ty France grounded to short for a second rally-killing 6-4-3 double play.

Of the game-ending pickoff, Servais said: “It happens, but for me that's not the play that cost us the game.”

Alzolay struck out two to earn his third save in five opportunities.

Castillo had his best outing of the season, reaching six innings and holding opponents to fewer than four runs for the first time. But his errant throw while chasing down Cody Bellinger’s bouncer down the first-base line allowed Seiya Suzuki to score easily from third.

Cubs RHP Ben Brown (0-0, 6.10) takes the mound to start a three-game series at Arizona. He has allowed one run in his last 8 2/3 innings.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand tied a career-high with four RBIs, and the Cincinnati Reds routed the Chicago White Sox 11-4 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Chicago dropped to 2-13, the worst 15-game start in the franchise’s 124-year history. The White Sox had 14 hits in the series and have scored a major league-low 34 runs.

Erick Fedde (0-0, 4.30) makes his fourth start of the season and Kansas City will counter with RHP Seth Lugo (2-0, 1.45) in Chicago on Monday night.

Zac Gallen pitched six sharp innings and Corbin Carroll hit a two-run single in a five-run fifth to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 on Sunday.

Gallen (3-0) threw 90 pitches, giving up four hits and walking two. He struck out seven, two of them coming with a runner on third and one out.

St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas (1-2) faced the minimum through four innings but didn’t finish the fifth.

Cardinals injured INF/OF Tommy Edman (right wrist sprain) and OF Dylan Carlson (left shoulder sprain) will begin baseball activities Monday. Both have been sidelined since spring training.

The Cardinals begin a three-game series Monday night at Oakland. Former A’s RHP Sonny Gray (1-0, 0.00 ERA) goes for St. Louis against RHP Ross Stripling (0-3, 5.50).

After getting to the front on a series of late restarts, Chase Elliott survived double overtime and hard charges from both Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain to win the Autotrader Echopark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Elliott's victory is his first since Talladega in the fall of 2022, ending a 42-race winless streak that dogged the 2020 Cup Series champion and NASCAR's reigning Most Popular Driver.

Elliott got the lead for the final time by getting a nose out in front of Hamlin with eight laps to go. He then held on over the final three restarts as both Hamlin and Chastain wound up crashing out of second behind him.

Elliott's 19th career win was a cathartic one, as it puts him back in the winner's circle for the first time after a difficult 2023 season that saw him miss multiple races due to an off-track injury, one race due to a suspension, and miss the playoffs for the first time in his career. 

Early on, it looked as though Sunday's race would be far less competitive than it ended up becoming, as Kyle Larson looked to be the class of the field and to have prohibitively the fastest car. Larson led 77 laps after starting from the pole, won the opening stage, and looked in for a Sunday drive until a pit road miscue wound up catching up to the No. 5 team.

While riding under caution following a spin by Carson Hocevar, Larson suddenly dropped off the pace with smoke trailing from his right rear wheel, which had not been properly attached on his last pit stop. The wheel came off as Larson dropped to the apron of Turn 1, leaving him to drive back to the pits on three wheels where he had to serve a two-lap penalty from NASCAR for the on-track loss of a loose wheel.

Due to the amount of cautions during the day, Larson was eventually able to get both of his laps back by virtue of the free pass, and by the end of Stage 2 he was back on the lead lap and seemingly set up to drive back to the front. But Larson's car was never the same back in traffic -- and likely with some damage from the underside of his car dragging on the racetrack -- and he would wind up finishing 21st after getting spun during a late restart.

The crash that ended the race on the final lap should not go unmentioned, as it both cost Ross Chastain another top-five finish and came off the bumper of the winningest driver of the 2024 season. After getting a run on Chastain just as the No. 1 appeared to lose some momentum on the exit of Turn 2, William Byron's car ran straight into the back of Chastain's, sending it spinning into the wall and down the racetrack.

It's off to the biggest and fastest speedway on Earth as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway for the GEICO 500 next Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.

Jack Manning singled in what proved to be the winning run in the third inning to back seven complete innings from Brock Wilson Saturday as Clinton edged Riverton 2-1 in non-conference baseball action in Riverton Saturday.

Cole Fintress tripled in a run in the top of the second to answer a run-scoring inning from the Hawks and then Manning singled hom Mason Walker to give the Maroons sophomore the cushion he'd need to preserve the win.

Fintress doubled and tripled in a 2-for-3 effort from the plate Saturday. Ryne Pine was 3-for-3 while Mason Walker reached base three times finishing 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored.

Wilson struck out five in seven innings of one-run ball for Clinton. The sophomore allowed four hits, and three walks and struck out five.

Clinton moves to 12-3 overall. A big week awaits Clinton with Class 3A Rantoul Tuesday, then travels to Shelbyville Friday and travels to Tolono Saturday for a double dip with Unity and Coal City.

Koyie Williams' grand slam highlighted a six-run second inning as Monticello answered a six-run frame from Williamsville and Eli Craft singled home the ultimate winning run as the Sages held off Williamsville for a 7-6 non-conference high school baseball win From Monticello Saturday morning.

Kyle Carter and Joe Catalano doubled in two runs apiece in the Bullets' six-run second inning. 

After Rai Colber singled home a run and Matt Swartz drew a bases-loaded walk, Williams tied the game with his fourth long ball of the year.

Craft singled home the eventual winning run in the fifth inning. 

Brody Billedo struck out seven in four scoreless innings of relief of Williams for Monticello.

A scheduled second game on the day eventually was a JV game for the Sages, keeping its undefeated season intact at 19-0 overall.

A showdown with undefeated Maroa-Forsyth awaits Monticello on Monday at the Wilkey Complex in Monticello. The matchups with Salt Fork and PBL late in the week.

Hear Monday's action against Maroa-Forsyt on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Kaiden Maruer's four hits backed a strong performance from Mitch Williams as Maroa-Forsyth blanked Pontiac 10-0 in five innings Saturday in non-conference high school baseball action from Forsyth.

Maurer doubled and scored three runs. Andy Munjoy, Ace Giles, and Connor Kelly drove in a pair of runs for the Trojans. 

Zayn Giles, Ace Giles, and Williams added doubles for Maroa-Forsyth who improved to 13-0.

Williams struck out four in five innings of shut-out ball for the Trojans.

Maroa-Forsyth travels to Monticello on Monday for a showdown that could potentially have Region or Sectional seeding implications. 

Game time is 4:30 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Lincoln picked up a pair of victories Saturday in high school baseball action at Lincoln High School.

The Railsplitters started the day with a 3-2 win over Taylorville. 

Parker Graue went 6 2/3 innings of 2 run ball, allowing one earned run. Colby Glenn preserved the victory with a strikeout of the only batter he faced for Lincoln.

Graue struck out three, walked one and allowed four hits. Glenn, Trey Schilling, and Wes Tedrick drove in the runs for the Railsplitters who tallied runs early to earn the victory. 

Michael Lucas had the only extra-base hit for Lincoln.

In the second game, Lincoln used a five-run fourth inning to propel them past Annawan-Weathersfield 12-9.

Brayden Wurth finished 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs for the Railsplitters. Schilling was 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. 

Lucas went 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to help Lincoln hold off the Titans. Lucas struck out two, walked two, and permitted two hits. 

With Saturday's two victories, Lincoln goes to 8-6 overall. They travel to Lanphier Tuesday for a Central State Eight matchup before more CS8 play with Normal U-High and Springfield Southeast, all on the road, next week.

Jaxson Goodrich held down a high-powered Mt. Pulaski offense and Lexington took down the Hilltoppers 11-1 in non-conference high school baseball action from Lexington Saturday.

Preston Wiltz had two RBIs for the Minutemen. 

Franklin Wade had the lone run driven in for Mt. Pulaski while Eric Cooper stole a base. Landon Smith, Tyler Cross, Wade, and Kolin Gibbs recorded hits for Mt. Pulaski.

It's the first loss of the season for Mt. Pulaski who drops to 12-1 overall. The Hilltoppers embark on a busy week starting with a home matchup against Riverton Monday, a home matchup with Heyworth Tuesday before hitting the road Thursday to travel to Illini Bluffs for a Tomahawk Conference game and then finishing the week out with Central State Conference opponents Springfield Southeast Friday and a double dip at Springfield Lanphier Saturday.

Bradley-Bourbonnais swept Normal Community in a non-conference

showdown Saturday in Bourbonnais 8-6 and 8-5.

In the opener, the Ironmen jumped out to a 5-0 lead but the Boilermakers answered to score three runs in the third inning cutting it to a 5-3 deficit, and scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to finish the win.

No Boilermakers pitcher went more than three innings.

Anthony Gura finished 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs in the opener. 

Lucas Drengwitz and Dexter Niekamp had RBIs for the Ironmen in the first game.

In the second game, the Boilermakers used six arms to hold off the Ironmen.

Ben Schweigert was 1-for-3 with an RBI double for Normal. Parker Michels, Drew Stevens, Alex Herren, and Connor Kearfott hit doubles for the Ironmen.

Normal suffered its first two losses of the season to go to 15-2 overall. They take on Normal West on Monday and Wednesday in Big 12 action. 

Colton Walker had a big day at the plate to back five-plus innings from Jack Manning and Clinton blanked Central A&M 10-0 in six innings Friday afternoon from Millikin University in Central Illinois Conference baseball action.

Friday's matchup was moved from Clinton High School to Millikin after rain soaked central Illinois throughout the day Thursday and into Friday morning.

Walker tripled and drove in four runs finishing 2-for-4. Thanks to Raider's miscues in the field, the Maroons were limited to just four RBIs in the game. Walker scored twice, Brock Wilson was 1-for-4 with a double.

Manning struck out six in 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball. 

Clinton goes to 4-0 in the CIC and 11-3 overall. They travel to Riverton on Saturday.

Normal Community scored ten runs in the first two frames and never looked back as they rolled to a 12-5 win over Champaign Centennial in Big 12 baseball action in Champaign Friday afternoon.

Dexter Niekamp [knee-camp] drove in four runs, Ryan Thiele [tee-lee] tripled and drove in two while Owen Cavanaugh [ca-van-awe] doubled and drove in a pair for the Ironmen.

Normal took two from Centennial this week in Big 12 play. 

Kyle Beaty struck out six in four innings of one-run ball. Parker Michels permitted three unearned runs with four strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Normal is 14-0 overall and improves to 4-0 in the Big 12. They travel to Bradley-Bourbonnais [burr-bon-A] on Saturday before a showdown with in-town rival Normal West on Monday and Wednesday next week.

An eight-run third inning helped Champaign Central rally and then hold off Normal West Friday in Big 12 baseball action in Champaign.

The Maroons dropped eight runs in the third inning to overcome an 8-3 deficit and then held off a Wildcats run in the seventh inning for Central's second win of the week over Normal West.

Sam DesCarpentrie homered and drove in five runs for the Wildcats. Bradyn Whitehead finished 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Brady Hart doubled in a run for the Normal West as well.

The Wildcats have dropped two in a row after a four-game winning streak. 

They have showdowns with in-town rival Normal Community next week on Monday and Wednesday. 

Normal Community scored ten runs in the first two frames and never looked back as they rolled to a 12-5 win over Champaign Centennial in Big 12 baseball action in Champaign Friday afternoon.

Dexter Niekamp drove in four runs, Ryan Thiele tripled and drove in two while Owen Cavanaugh doubled and drove in a pair for the Ironmen.

Normal took two from Centennial this week in Big 12 play. 

Kyle Beaty struck out six in four innings of one-run ball. Parker Michels permitted three unearned runs with four strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Normal is 14-0 overall and improves to 4-0 in the Big 12. They travel to Bradley-Bourbonnais on Saturday before a showdown with in-town rival Normal West on Monday and Wednesday next week.

Colton Walker had a big day at the plate to back five-plus innings from Jack Manning and Clinton blanked Central A&M 10-0 in six innings Friday afternoon from Millikin University in Central Illinois Conference baseball action.

Friday's matchup was moved from Clinton High School to Millikin after rain soaked central Illinois throughout the day Thursday and into Friday morning.

Walker tripled and drove in four runs finishing 2-for-4. Thanks to Raiders' miscues in the field, the Maroons were limited to just four RBIs on the game. Walker scored twice, Brock Wilson was 1-for-4 with a double.

Manning struck out six in 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball. 

Clinton goes to 4-0 in the CIC and 11-3 overall. They travel to Riverton on Saturday.

An eight run third inning helped Champaign Central rally and then hold off Normal West Friday in Big 12 baseball action in Champaign.

The Maroons dropped eight runs in the third inning to overcome an 8-3 deficit and then held off a Wildcats run in the seventh inning for Central's second win of the week over Normal West.

Sam DesCarpentrie homered and drove in five runs for the Wildcats. Bradyn Whitehead finished 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Brady Hart doubled in a run for the Normal West as well.

The Wildcats have dropped two in a row after a four-game winning streak. 

They have showdowns with in-town rival Normal Community next week on Monday and Wednesday. 

Koyie Williams hit a home run and drove in three, backing a stellar outing from Ike Young as Monticello picked up a statement six inning, run-rule win over rival Tolono Unity 11-1, Illini Prairie Conference baseball action in Tolono Thursday.

Young struck out nine in six innings. The junior allowed a run on four hits and permitted a walk. He went 1-for-3 with a double and scored twice at the plate. 

Williams paced another solid day for Monticello's offense. He was 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Matt Swartz finished 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs while Colton Vance, Luke Teschke, Jacob Long, Dylan Brown, and Raiden Colbert drove in runs for the Sages.

Trey Hoggard doubled in the only run for the Rockets.

Monticello goes to 18-0 overall and 4-0 in the Illini Prairie. They host Williamsville and PBL Saturday.

Maroa-Forsyth outslugged New Berlin 20-10 Thursday in Sangamo Conference baseball from Forsyth.

After the teams played to a 6-6 through the first two innings, the Trojans outscored the Pretzels 14-4 the rest of the way, putting the game away with a seven-run fifth inning and five-run sixth inning.

Andy Munjoy went deep finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored to pace the Trojans. Connor Kelly went 1-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs. Kaiden Maurer was a home run short of the cycle for the Trojans finishing 3-for-5 on a double and triple with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Tate Brandenburg, Ian Reid, Miles Leach, Ace Giles, and Zayn Giles all hit doubles for Maroa-Forsyth. Ace Giles and Reid had two RBIs apiece.

The Trojans go to 12-0 overall and 2-0 in the Sangamo Conference. They host Pontiac Saturday. 

Mt. Pulaski scored six runs in the fifth inning to separate and beat Midwest Central 10-2 in Tomahawk Conference baseball Thursday in Mt. Pulaski.

Luke Martin hit a two-run double in the frame to highlight the big inning. Landon Smith got the Hilltoppers started with a two-run triple as part of a three-run third inning.

Martin finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs while Tyler Cross and Smith finished with two RBIs apiece. Eric Cooper added a double finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Chance Payne struck out nine and allowed two unearned runs in six innings. He permitted two hits and issued five walks. 

The Hilltoppers go to 12-0 overall and 1-0 in the Tomahawk. Mt. Pulaski travels to Lexington for a Saturday morning matchup.

A four run third inning was all the offense Wyatt Mammen needed, as the senior went the distance and helped Lincoln take down Champaign Central 4-2 Thursday in non-conference high school baseball action in Lincoln.

Mammen struck out nine and allowed two runs, one was earned, on four hits and walked one.

Michael Lucas, Griffin Shaw, and Drew Haynes drove in runs in the four-run frame. 

Colby Glenn and Brayden Wurth doubled each finishing 2-for-3 for the Railsplitters.

Lincoln is 6-6 overall and will host Taylorville and Annawan-Weathersfield on Saturday.

DeMar DeRozan scored 39 points and the Chicago Bulls sent the Detroit Pistons to their franchise-record 67th loss of the season, 127-105 on Thursday night.

Detroit (13-67) broke the franchise mark set by the 1979-80 team.

Chicago (38-42) wrapped up home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference play-in game against Atlanta.

Nikola Vucevic had 27 points and 11 rebounds for Chicago, and Coby White had 18 points.

Jalen Duren had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, and Marcus Sasser scored 20 points. The Pistons have lost six straight and 14 of 15. They played without Cade Cunningham because of knee management.

Chicago led by nine going into the third quarter and slowly pulled away. DeRozan's 3-pointer made it 90-70 with 3:27 left in the third, and Bulls led 99-80 at period's end.

The Pistons, who allowed 34 points off turnovers, never threatened in the fourth.

The Bulls led 64-55 at halftime, with DeRozan and Vucevic each scoring 17 points.

The Bulls are at Washington on Friday night.

Williams Byron held onto the lead during a two-lap dash to the finish and led a 1-2-3 finish for Hendrick Motorsports at Martinsville, the first for a team in the track’s storied history. Now the series heads to Texas Motor Speedway. 

The victory was Byron’s third in eight races. Kyle Larson finished second and Chase Elliott was third on the 40th anniversary of the team’s first win. 

Larson also took over the points lead by 14 over former leader Martin Truex. 

Despite his three victories, Byron is fourth in points, 48 behind Larson. 

There were 13 lead changes among eight drivers. The victory was the 29th for Hendrick on the 0.526-mile oval, the most for any organization at any track.

Byron won at Texas last fall.

Practice and qualifying is at 9:30 am Saturday morning. Race time is 2:30 on Sunday afternoon.

Aric Almirola grabbed the lead by going three-wide on the outside in a two-lap overtime dash to the finish and won at Martinsville in the XFinity Series. 

The XFinity Series joins the top series in Texas this weekend. 

Almirola led six times for 148 laps in his fifth career victory in the series. He also won $100,000 as the top finisher among four drivers eligible for the Dash for Cash. 

Chandler Smith finished third and expanded his points lead to 35 over Austin Hill. Smith is the only driver to have finished in the top 10 in all seven races. 

Carson Kvapil finished fourth in his series debut. 

The race featured 15 lead changes, eight different leaders, and 11 cautions.

Practice and qualifying is at 5 pm this evening and race time is at 12:30 pm on Saturday.

Christian Eckes rallied from 19th and outran pole-winner Ty Majeski at Martinsville. The Craftsman Truck Series picks back up this week in Texas. 

Eckes led the first 104 laps then regained the lead on the 172nd of 200 laps. The victory was the second for Eckes this season. He also won on another short track at Bristol. 

Majeski assumed the points lead by seven over Corey Heim and Tyler Ankrum.

Practice and qualifying is at 3 pm this afternoon and race time is 7:30 pm tonight.

Bryson DeChambeau was plenty good in a relentless wind, taking a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler in the rain-delayed opening round. Scheffler hasn’t changed at all. The world’s No. 1 player was practically flawless from tee to green.

The first round could not be completed because of a 2 1/2-hour delay from overnight rain that drenched Augusta National, leaving the greens softer than they have been all week. The test came from a steady 20 mph wind, with gusts twice that strong.

Among those still on the course was Tiger Woods, who was 1-under par through 13 holes when it was too dark to continue. He next faces 23 holes Friday, an endurance test for his battered legs, as he tries to set the Masters record by making his 24th consecutive cut.

Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark, one of 17 newcomers to the Masters, was at 5 under with three holes to play. Max Homa was at 4 under through 13 holes.

DeChambeau put on a clinic of power and putting, always a good recipe at Augusta National.

He ran off five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine, including a two-putt birdie on the par-5 15th when his risky shot under a pine tree cleared the water fronting the green and left him 40 feet away.

Scheffler began as the 4-1 favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, the shortest odds since Tiger Woods nearly two decades ago. And then the No. 1 player in the world — who came into the Masters off two wins and a runner-up finish — played as expected.

It was his ninth bogey-free round of the year.

Defending champion Jon Rahm never got any momentum and bogeys on his last two holes sent him to a 73, leaving him eight shots behind.

Rory McIlroy at least didn’t shoot himself out of the tournament after one round. In his 10th bid for the final leg of the career Grand Slam, he saved par with a chip from behind the 18th green for a 71, the first time he has opened the Masters with a round under par since 2018.

The first round was to resume at 7:50 a.m., and with a good forecast for the rest of the week, the Masters should be back on schedule by the weekend.

Illinois State baseball topped Western Illinois 7-4 at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium in Macomb. 

Junior Carter Monke got the midweek start, going 4.1 innings with six strikeouts for the Redbirds (18-12).

Sophomore Daniel Pacella had three hits and an RBI as the Redbirds pounded 10 hits against the Leathernecks (6-22).

Freshman Matthew Donnison recorded 3.0 innings of scoreless relief.

Illinois State is scheduled to travel for a weekend series in Evansville from April 12-14 against the Purple Aces. 

In a game heard in progress on WHOW, Bo Naylor and Josh Naylor delivered RBI hits in the 10th inning - after the brothers connected for home runs earlier - as the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

Josh Naylor tied it with an RBI double before turning it over to his brother - on National Siblings Day.

With the bases loaded, Bo Naylor, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning - just moments after his brother connected for one - dropped his single into right field off former Guardians reliever Bryan Shaw (0-1) as Cleveland came back after trailing 5-0.

The White Sox fell to 2-10 amid a rash of major injuries.

Gavin Sheets hit a three-run homer and had five RBIs for Chicago.

Before the game, the White Sox learned they'll be without third baseman Yoán Moncada for at least three months, and maybe the rest of this season. He sustained a severe leg injury while running to first base Tuesday.

The injury was another blow to Chicago's lineup, which has lost its 2-3-4 hitters - Moncada, outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hip flexor) and slugger Eloy Jimenez - to injuries during its first road trip.

The White Sox open a three-game series Friday with Cincinnati. Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (0-1, 3.48 ERA) starts the opener against RHP Chris Flexen (0-2, 5.91).

J.T. Realmuto had two hits and scored two runs and Aaron Nola pitched six innings, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos each drove in a run in the sixth to break a 2-2 tie.

The Phillies won the series to close a six-game road trip and even their record to 6-6. The Cardinals fell to 6-7.

The game began in a light rain as it was not raining hard enough for a delay. The grounds crew worked on the field after each side had batted.

Jeff Hoffman, the fifth Philadelphia pitcher, earned his first save in three opportunities by pitching the ninth.

Reliever Andre Pallante (0-1) faced four batters in the sixth and retired none to take the loss.

Starter Lance Lynn pitched five innings, allowing just one hit and two unearned runs on 94 pitches. He struck out six and walked four.

Rookie catcher Iván Herrera hit his third home run of the season to lead off the second. He hit a 3-2 changeup 432 feet to left field. Brendan Donovan hit an 0-2 curveball into the right field seats with one out in the third.

The Cardinals added a run in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Nolan Arenado off Seranthony Domínguez.

Cardinals CF Dylan Carlson (sprained left AC joint) is still not cleared to resume baseball activities. Carlson still has pain and little range of motion in his shoulder.

Cardinals LHP Steven Matz (1-0, 1.74) faces Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-0, 5.06) in Phoenix. Matz enters the game with a 13-inning scoreless streak against Arizona going back to June 2, 2019. Pfaadt gave up five runs and eight hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Atlanta in his previous start.

Dylan Cease pitched six strong innings and Jurickson Profar had a go-ahead double and a two-run homer among his three hits for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Chicago Cubs 10-2 on Wednesday to take two of three in the series.

Jake Cronenworth also homered to back Cease (1-1), who pitched for the Chicago White Sox for five seasons before being traded to the Padres during spring training. Cease improved to 3-2 against the Cubs. He allowed just two hits and no earned runs while striking out seven and walking two. Chicago had only three hits.

Cease's only big mistake was allowing Michael Busch's tying, two-run homer with two outs in the fourth, his second. It came one batter after shortstop Ha-Seong Kim committed a fielding error on Christopher Morel's grounder.

Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks (0-1, 4.15 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Seattle, which will counter with RHP Bryce Miller (1-1, 3.00).

Jordan Kyrou scored twice, Robert Thomas had a goal and an assist, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Zack Bolduc had a goal and an assist, Torey Krug also scored and Brayden Schenn had two assists for St. Louis. Joel Hofer made 18 saves as the Blues improved to 8-1-1 in their last 10 home games against the Blackhawks.

St. Louis preserved its slim playoff hopes. With Vegas losing to Edmonton, the Blues pulled to within three points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Blues have three games left, while the Golden Knights have four.

Philipp Kurashev and Landon Slaggert scored for the Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek was pulled after giving up three goals on three shots over the first 4:37. Arvid Soderblom came on and finished with 21 saves.

The Blues ambushed the Blackhawks with four goals in a 4:55 span early in the first period, scoring on their first four shots of the game.

Kyrou started the outburst with two straight goals just 42 seconds apart. Kyrou has a four-game point streak and has 15 points in his last 10 games (eight goals, seven assists).

Kyrou’s first came at 2:04 on a breakaway off an outlet pass from Nick Leddy. Hofer got his second career NHL point with the secondary assist on the play.

Kyrou struck again at 2:46, with Pavel Buchnevich getting an assist on the play for his 400th career point.

Krug made it 3-0 at 4:37, ending Mrazek’s night.

Bolduc greeted Soderblum with his fourth of the season at 6:59. The goal gave the Blues a 4-0 lead before either Blackhawks goalie could record a save.

St. Louis outshot Chicago 9-1 in the first period.

Kurashev got the Blackhawks on the board at 8:40 of the second, giving him points in four of his last five games.

Thomas scored his 25th of the season midway through the third to give the Blues a 5-1 lead.

Slaggert scored his first career goal with 3:09 left.

Krug left the game after the second period with an undisclosed injury. Bannister did not have an update after the game.

The Blackhawks host Nashville on Friday night.

The Blues host Carolina on Friday night.

The start of the Masters has been delayed by at least one hour because of bad weather.

The first round was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday, with Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp going out in the first group.

Storms, heavy rain and strong winds were forecast for Thursday.

Scottie Scheffler, the 2022 champion and world’s No. 1 player, is the 4-1 favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Rory McIlroy is 10-1 to end a decadelong majors drought. John Rahm is 11-1 to become the fourth player to repeat as champion. Xander Schauffele is 14-1 and 2021 champion Hideki Matsuyama and reigning PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka are 20-1. Tiger Woods is 150-1.

Rahm persevered last year to become the fourth Spaniard to win the Masters. He shared the first-round lead with Koepka and Viktor Hovland, then stayed in contention during a second round twice suspended because of approaching thunderstorms and halted when three towering pines fell near the 17th tee.

Torrential rain caused play Saturday to be suspended, too, and Rahm resumed Sunday four strokes off Koepka’s lead. But he halved the deficit by the end of the third round, and Rahm’s final-round 69 put him four shots clear of the fading Koepka and fan favorite Phil Mickelson, whose closing 65 at the age of 52 made him the oldest player to finish in the top five.

In a game heard on WHOW, WEZC and at dewittdailynews.com, Reese Patton went the distance leading Monticello to a 5-1 win over Clinton in non-conference high school softball action from the Wilkey Complex in Monticello.

The Lady Maroons could not solve the Monticello senior who had help from her defense at pivotal spots in the game.

Patton struck out five and allowed eight hits while issuing just one walk. 

The Lady Maroons opened the game with a huge opportunity. They got back-to-back one out hits. Avery Smith looped a short fly ball just behind third base. Monticello shortstop Sadie Walsh had the ball go off the end of her glove on a diving attempt but the Clinton runner was thrown out at third base having to wait to see if the catch could be made.  Hadley Humble brought home a run with a base hit but the inning ended when Analise Thompson was thrown out trying to score from second base.

Monticello answered with a three-run second inning highlighted by an Ali Weidner two-run double.

The score remained 3-1 until Patton brought home two runs on a base hit in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

In the fourth inning, Patton induced an inning-ending double play on a ground ball to shortstop and then got a strikeout-throw out on a steal attempt in the fifth inning, thwarting two more Lady Maroons scoring chances.

Patton earned the Monticello ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game.

Armstrong was very effective in circle for Clinton Wednesday. Despite allowing five runs, the senior did not record a strikeout and allowed six hits and a walk. Very little contact made by Monticello was hard contact.

Hadley Humble led Clinton going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Thompson was 2-for-3 for the Lady Maroons. Ariana Humes was 2-for-3 as well. 

Hadley Humbe was the Clinton ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game. 

The Lady Maroons drop to 5-7 overall. They host Central A&M on Friday afternoon.

The Lady Sages go to 11-8 and will travel to Tolono Unity on Thursday.

Addison Roos singled in the winning run and Blue Ridge walked off Martinsville 4-3 in non-conference softball action in Farmer City Wednesday.

The Lady Knights had to rally twice, trailing 1-0 right away Wednesday. They scored three unanswered runs highlighted by a Lily Enger seven-pitch RBI double in the third inning. 

Lily Summers and Ellie Schlieper had run-scoring singles in the bottom of the fourth inning. 

Summers finished 3-for-3. Roos was 1-for-4 while Enger, Summers, and Cassie Zimmerman were all 1-for-3 with doubles. 

Schlieper struck out ten in seven innings of work in circle for Blue Ridge. She allowed three runs on eight hits and issued just one walk. 

Blue Ridge goes to 5-8 overall. They host Oakland Tri-County on Thursday.

Josh Roper struck out 11 in four innings and Normal Community scored seven runs in the fourth inning to roll to a 12-1, five inning run-rule win over Champaign Centennial in Big 12 high school baseball action Wednesday in Normal.

Roper allowed a run on one hit and walked just one in four innings. Kaileb Hackman struck out all three batters he faced in a scoreless inning of relief.

Luke Drengwitz drove in two runs while Anthony Gura doubled in a run. Parker Michels, Jack Richards, Ryan Theile, Owen Cavanaugh, Joshua Eisfelder, and Dexter Niekamp all had RBIs for the Ironmen. 

Normal goes to 14-0 and 4-0 in the Big 12. The Ironmen travel to Champaign on Friday to take on Centennial again. 

Luke Martin was dominant over seven innings and Mt. Pulaski took advantage of shaky Argenta-Oreana defense in a 7-4 non-conference win in high school baseball action from Mt. Pulaski Wednesday.

Martin struck out 11 and allowed just one earned run of four as the Hilltoppers took advantage of five errors by the Bombers.

Landon Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored for Mt. Pulaski. Chance Payne, Tyler Cross, Franklin Wade, and Kolin Gibbs all had RBIs for Mt. Pulaski. 

Landon Jackson drove in two runs for the Bombers.

Mt. Pulaski goes to 11-0 overall and will host Midwest Central in its Tomahawk Conference opener on Thursday.

Normal West could not hold an early lead as Champaign Central rallied past the Wildcats 11-7 in Big 12 baseball action Wednesday in Normal.

Sam DesCarpentrie doubled twice and drove in a run while Blake Crancer doubled and Bradyn Whitehead had an RBI for the Wildcats offensively. 

Normal West put a five-spot in the third inning to take a 5-2 lead but the Maroons got all five back in the fifth inning and added four more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

With the loss, Normal West drops to 8-6 and 4-1 in the Big 12. They return to action traveling to Champaign to take on Central again on Friday. 

The Clinton Maroons scored six runs in the last three frames to separate and beat Warrensburg-Latham 9-2 in Central Illinois Conference high school baseball Tuesday from Warrensburg.

Coming off an emotional, come-from-behind win Monday where Brooks Cluver homered to start a three-run rally in the seventh inning that catapulted the Maroons to a walk-off win, the senior drove in three runs again Tuesday finishing 1-for-4 with a double.

The Maroons led 3-0 heading into the top half of the fifth inning. They would tack on a run to go up 4-0. 

The Cardinals cut the deficit in half with a two-run inning but the Maroons answered with two more runs in the top of the sixth to go up 6-2 and put the game out of reach with a three-run seventh inning. 

Mason Walker reached base four times finishing 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored. Colton Walker scored three times and drove in a run finishing 1-for-3 with two walks. 

Jack Manning was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Clinton.

Walker was very good on the mound as well. The senior southpaw went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, one was earned on three hits and issued three walks while striking out eight.

Preston Curtis, one of the heroes from Monday, struck out three in 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. 

The Maroons go to 10-3 overall and 3-0 in the Central Illinois Conference. They host Central A&M on Friday. Hear the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms.

Warrensburg-Latham scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and walked off Clinton 5-4 in Central Illinois Conference high school girls' softball action from Warrensburg Tuesday afternoon.

Shelby Oakley singled home two runs for the game-winning hit for the Lady Cardinals who had to come from behind twice.

Heidi Humble's first of two home runs put Clinton up 3-0 in the third inning but Warrensburg-Latham answered with three runs in their half of the third inning to tie the game. 

Humble would add a solo home run in the fifth inning to pu Clinton up 4-3. 

Oakley and Katie Czajkowski each drove in a pair for the Lady Cardinals.

Humble led Clinton offensively going 3-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs. Lainey Nichols finished 2-for-3 with a run and Ashley Armstrong added a double and a run.

Clinton drops to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in the CIC.

They will travel to Monticello this afternoon. Hear the action on a split simulcast broadcast on WHOW, WEZC, and all its digital platforms. First pitch is 4:30 pm.

Koyie Williams stayed hot and Luke Teschke hit a home run on a day where he wasn't his best on the mound as Monticello rolled Mattoon 9-2 in non-conference high school baseball Tuesday in Monticello.

Williams went yard and finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. 

Teschke hit a solo home run. The Illinois State commit finished five innings of two-run ball but walked five, struck out six, and allowed four hits. 

Brody Billedo struck out three and allowed a hit in two innings of scoreless relief to close out the win.

Ike Young drove in a run with a double for the Sages and Jacob Long also had an RBI.

Monticello stays perfect on the season going to 17-0. They will travel to Tolono Unity on Thursday for an Illini Prairie Conference showdown.

The Maroa-Forsyth offense exploded for five extra base hits Tuesday and rolled to a 10-2 win over Pleasant Plains in Sangamo Conference high school baseball action from Plains on Tuesday.

Tate Bradenburg paced the Trojans offense finishing 2-for-3 with a double, four RBIs, and scored a run. Mitch Williams was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Kaiden Maurer was 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and three runs scored. Zayn Giles, Ace Giles, Caden Rose, and Connor Kelly all drove in runs for the Trojans. 

Kelly went the distance on the mound with five strikeouts and permitted six hits to zero walks. 

The Trojans are 11-0 overall and 1-0 in the Sangamo. They return to action Thursday when they host New Berlin in more Sangamo play.

Springfield High started fast and held off Lincoln 11-1 in Central State Eight high school baseball from Springfield on Tuesday.

The Senators put up seven runs in the first two frames and closed out the win with four more runs in the sixth inning to take home the run-rule win. 

Wes Tedrick brought home the only run for the Railsplitters in a pinch-hit appearance. Drew Haynes and Colby Glenn doubled for Lincoln. Michael Lucas was 2-for-3 with a triple and run scored.

The Railsplitters are 5-6 overall and 2-2 in the Central State Eight. They host Champaign Central on Thursday. 

Mt. Pulaski blasted four home runs and scored double-digit runs in two innings as the Hilltoppers throttled Cerro Gordo-Bement 27-3 in a run-rule, three-inning win from Cerro Gordo Tuesday in non-conference high school baseball.

The Hilltoppers got back-to-back-back home runs in the second inning from Eric Cooper, Liam Smith, and Landon Smith. Liam Smith hit two runs and drove in four runs on the afternoon. Franklin Wade finished with four RBIs. Land Smith, Chance Payne, and Cooper all had three RBIs for Mt. Pulaski.

Cooper struck out six in three innings of three-run ball for the Hilltoppers. 

Mt. Pulaski goes to 10-0 overall. They will host Argenta-Oreana this afternoon.

Illinois (17-13) got back into the win column with a 10-6 victory over Illinois State (17-12) at Illinois Field Tuesday night. 

Vytas Valincius, Camden Janik and Drake Westcott all had three hits in the contest, with Valincius homering and driving in a season-high four runs. Coltin Quagliano picked up two hits and also went yard.

Illinois State (17-12 overall) got two hits from sophomore Luke Lawrence and a pair of RBIs from sophomore Daniel Pacella in the loss. Senior Greg Nichols to made it an 8-3 ball game with a home run in the fifth. 

Quagliano launched a solo shot to left center and Janik doubled down the left field line to bring home Chee-Aloy to put Illinois up 10-3 in the seventh. 

Will Lavin earned the win out of the bullpen, tossing 1.1 shutout innings, and allowing just one hit. Ben Plumley and Korey Bunselmeyer each worked 1.0 scoreless frames in relief, combining to yield one hit and strike out three batters.

Illinois State remains on the road as the Redbirds will face Western Illinois on Wednesday.  

The Fighting Illini continue this season-long nine-game homestand with a weekend series vs. Northern Illinois. First pitch in Friday's series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

Christopher Morel hit his first career grand slam and Yan Gomes also connected for the Chicago Cubs, who beat Joe Musgrove and the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Unlike Monday, the Cubs held on. They blew an 8-0 lead in a 9-8 loss in the opener of their three-game set at San Diego.

Right-hander Ben Brown pitched well in his first big league start but not long enough to get the win. He was pulled after 4 2/3 scoreless innings and 77 pitches, with the bases empty. He allowed three hits while striking out five and walking one.

Center fielder Cody Bellinger helped Brown settle in by catching Fernando Tatis Jr.'s fly ball and then throwing out Xander Bogaerts trying to advance from second after his leadoff double.

Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 11.74 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday's series finale against Padres RHP Dylan Cease (0-1, 3.38 ERA).

Dominic Fletcher hit a two-run double in the eighth inning as the Chicago White Sox snapped a five-game losing streak with their first road win, 7-5 over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.

Hear tonight's action after Clinton High School softball on WHOW.

Sonny Gray tossed five innings in his St. Louis debut, and the Cardinals shut out the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Gray (1-0) allowed five hits, struck out five and walked none. The 34-year-old right-hander threw 43 of his 64 pitches for strikes.

St. Louis jumped in front on Nolan Gorman's third homer of the season in the fourth.

The Cardinals added two more in the fifth. Rookie Victor Scott II hit a sacrifice fly, and Donovan drove in Masyn Winn with a groundout.

Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (1-1, 5.40 ERA) faces Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (0-0, 4.15 ERA) on Wednesday.

In a game heard on WHOW, José Ramírez hit a two-run homer - his 100th at Progressive Field - and the Cleveland Guardians followed the total solar eclipse by winning first-year manager Stephen Vogt's home debut, 4-0 over the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

Triston McKenzie (1-1) pitched 5 2/3 innings for Cleveland, off to a surprising start and its best since 2011. The right-hander combined with four relievers on a four-hitter, with Clase working the ninth.

The White Sox dropped their fifth straight to fall to 1-9. They were shut for the fourth time and have scored an MLB-low 16 runs, the club's fewest in 10 games since 1968.

They went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, leaving them with a .091 average in those situations.

Chicago wasn't much better in the field, committing three errors, two by third baseman Yoán Moncada.

White Sox RHP Michael Soroka (0-1, 4.91 ERA) starts the second game of the series against Cleveland LHP Logan Allen (2-0, 2.31 ERA). Hear this evening's action on WHOW.

Alec Bohm had an RBI double in the 10th inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Monday night.

Bohm’s hit off Ryan Helsley (1-1) drove in automatic runner Cristian Pache, and Bryson Stott followed with a sacrifice fly for the insurance run as the Phillies won for the third time in their last four games.

Gregory Soto got the last three outs for his first save.

The Cardinals rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth off Jeff Hoffman (1-0) to tie it. Jordan Walker drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly and Masyn Winn’s two-out single tied it 3-all.

The rally spoiled the second straight scoreless start for Phillies starter Spencer Turnbull, who allowed just two hits in six inning while striking out six.

Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas allowed two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Iván Herrera greeted reliever Seranthony Domínguez with a home run to lead off the seventh and pull the Cardinals within one. Herrera’s second of the season grazed the top of Brandon Marsh’s glove before clearing the left field wall.

Marsh had a solo homer off Giovanny Gallegos in the ninth to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead.

RHP Sonny Gray (debut) will make his first start for the Cardinals against RHP Zack Wheeler (0-1, 0.75 ERA) and the Phillies on Tuesday night. Gray is working his way back from a right hamstring strain suffered in spring training, while Wheeler is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in seven career starts against St. Louis.

Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a go-ahead, two-run home run with two outs in the eighth, two innings after the Padres scored seven runs, and San Diego stunned the Chicago Cubs 9-8 Monday night.

Wandy Peralta (1-0) got the win and Robert Suarez the save, his fourth.

Cubs right-hander Javier Assad, who grew up across the border in Tijuana, took a two-hit shutout and an 8-0 lead into the sixth before the Padres pulled within a run in the sixth that was highlighted by two-run homers by Jake Cronenworth and Xander Bogaerts. The Padres had five hits, a walk, and an error that inning.

Assad allowed a leadoff walk to Tatis before being chased by Cronenworth’s two-run homer to right, his first. Jose Cuas came on and the next three Padres batters reached, starting with Manny Machado on an error by shortstop Dansby Swanson that made three of the runs unearned. Ha-Seong Kim hit a two-run triple and Luis Campusano an RBI grounder. Bogaerts capped the scoring with a two-run shot off Luke Little, his first. Tatis flew out to the right to end the inning.

Assad allowed two runs and three hits, with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Darvish, who pitched for the Cubs from 2018-2020, threw 42 pitches in the second inning when the Cubs scored four runs on three hits, two walks, and a hit batter. Darvish twice loaded the bases and Ian Happ and Bellinger each hit a two-run single.

Darvish got through a quick third inning but was done for the night after allowing four runs and four hits while striking out four and walking three. It was just the 10th time in 281 career starts, including the postseason, that Darvish went three or fewer innings.

The Cubs then jumped on Pedro Avila for four more runs in the fourth. After the Cubs loaded the bases with one out, Bellinger hit a sacrifice fly, Christopher Morel hit an RBI double and Swanson tripled in two more.

The Cubs haven't named a starter for Tuesday night's game while the Padres will go with RHP Joe Musgrove (1-1, 6.28).

Jack Manning's single in the bottom of the seventh inning sent Clinton home with a 3-2 non-conference win over GCMS in boys baseball action Monday in Clinton.

The Falcons had a 2-0 lead heading to the last of the seventh. Brooks Cluver homered to bring Clinton within 2-1. Brock Wilson brought home Noah Bass to tie the game with a base hit and Manning's base hit scored Preston Curtis with the winning run.

Wilson went four innings of two-run ball for the Maroons. Wilson walked three and struck out four while allowing three hits. Manning worked around three walks in a scoreless inning of relief. Curtis closed it out with two innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win.

Clinton goes to 9-3 overall. They will travel to Warrensburg-Latham Tuesday afternoon for a Central Illinois Conference tilt. 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Carter Foran was brilliant on the mound for Monticello providing a huge lift at the start of a busy week, leading the Sages to a 10-0, six inning, run-rule win over Champaign St. Thomas More in Illini Prairie Conference high school baseball action from the Wilkey Complex in Monticello.

Foran went six innings and faced just one over the minimum - permitting a base hit in the fourth inning. The junior struck out five while sitting down the first ten batters he faced the final eight after a one-out hit in the fourth inning by Wilson Kirby.

Luke Teschke ripped a two-run double in the Sages half of the first inning to get the scoring started. Eli Craft blasted a two-run home run in the fourth inning that put Monticello up 6-0.

STM pitching walked seven batters and its defense committed four errors. Monticello took advantage. 

Foran added an RBI groundout in the second inning and singled in a run in the third.

Ike Young brought in two runners with a base in the bottom of the sixth inning that ended the game on the ten-run rule.

Teshke finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases. 

Foran was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game.

Monticello remains undefeated moving to 16-0 overall and 3-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They host Mattoon on Tuesday.

Riley Hendren doubled twice and drove in two runs, and Anthony Gura drove in three runs as Normal Community used a fast start to get by Champaign Central 9-1 in Big 12 high school baseball Monday in Champaign.

Hendren was 2-for-4 with two runs scored in addition to his two RBIs. Gura was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Kaileb Hackman drove in two finishing 2-for-3 on the afternoon. 

Ethan Eberly went four innings of shutout ball for Normal. The Louisville commit struck out eight, walked one, and permitted three hits.

Kyle Beaty struck out three in two innings of one-run relief. Brady Burkhart closed out the win with a scoreless inning.

The Ironmen are 13-0 on the season and 3-0 in the Big 12. They will host Champaign Centennial for the first of two matchups in Big 12 play this week.

Normal West used a fast start building an early lead to get by Bloomington 12-3 in Big 12 high school baseball action from Normal West High School Monday.

The Wildcats put up three runs apiece in the first and second innings and quickly led 9-2 after four, adding three more runs in the sixth inning. 

Five Bloomington errors limited Normal West to seven hits and five RBIs. Taylor Hafermann drove in two while Brady Whitehead, Sam DesCarpentrie and Ryder Coone drove in runs.

Blake Crancer scored four times and Trent Durham crossed the plate twice. 

Since starting the season 0-4, the Wildcats have won eight of its last nine to go to 9-5 overall. They take on Champaign Central on Wednesday and Friday this week in more Big 12 action. 

The Illinois Fighting Illini broke a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning to defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 7-4, clinching the series weekend series with a win in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader.

The three game series was played Friday and Saturday with inclement weather expected in Minneapolis on Sunday.

Illinois was paced by Cal Hejza, who went 3-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs. Coltin Quagliano picked up three hits as well, going 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. 

Four Illinois runs were scored with two outs.

Jake Rons got the win out of the bullpen for the Illini, with Joe Glassey earning the save by tossing two scoreless frames to end the game. Cooper Omans took no decision in the start, allowing just one run on two hits over 5.0 innings of work.

Minnesota jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two and never looked back, as Illinois had its seven-game winning streak snapped in an 8-3 defeat.

Cameron Chee-Aloy went 3-for-5 with a double, the lone Illini to have a multi-hit effort in the ballgame. He has reached base safely in 15-straight games and in 26 of 27 overall.

Illinois earned a fourth-straight series victory.

Despite the loss, every Fighting Illini starter reached base safely but left 12 runners on base.

Illinois returns to Illinois Field to begin a nine-game homestand with a midweek contest vs. Illinois State. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

Junior Tanner Perry shined Sunday as Illinois State picked up the series sweep over Valparaiso, 6-0, on Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.

Perry recorded his fourth win of the season, striking out a season-high 10 Beacons (10-19 overall, 2-7 MVC), as the junior allowed no runs and only two hits over his outing.

The Redbirds (17-11 overall, 7-2 MVC) finished with 12 hits on the afternoon, including two hits from four batters and a pair of RBIs from senior Auggie Rasmussen.

 Greg Nichols doubled home a pair of Redbirds to make it a 3-0 ball game in the second inning. 

Since being swept by then No. 9 Vanderbilt in early March and a ten-run rule loss to Indiana that following week, the Redbirds have won 9 of 12 overall. 

Illinois State is scheduled to travel to Illinois Tuesday (6:00 p.m. CT), Western Illinois Wednesday (3:00 p.m. CT) and Evansville April 12-14.

In a game heard on WHOW, MJ Melendez hit his third home run of the series, a two-run drive in a three-run seventh inning as the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat Chicago White Sox 5-3 on Sunday for a four-game sweep.

Chicago has started 1-9 for just the second time in the 124-year history of the franchise after going 0-10 in 1968.

Chicago ended a 19-inning scoreless streak in the fourth and led 3-0 in the fifth before Hunter Renroe's two-run homer off starter Garrett Crochet.

Melendez hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Deivi García (0-2) for a 4-3 lead, his third go-ahead hit of the series. Melendez flipped his bat in triumph.

Dominic Fletcher hit an RBI double in the fourth off Alec Marsh and scored on Braden Shewmake’s sacrifice fly, just the third multi-run inning of the season for the White Sox.

Garrett Crochet continued his hot start to the season going five innings of two run ball. He struck out five to zero walks and allowed five hits.

The White Sox take on the Guardians next. Triston McKenzie (0-1, 10.80 ERA) starts for Cleveland in Monday's series opener against visiting Chicago.

Cody Bellinger homered against his former team, Shota Imanaga threw four shutout innings in a rain-shortened start, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-1 on Sunday.

Imanaga was lifted after the game resumed following a weather delay of nearly three hours. The left-hander allowed two singles, struck out three and walked none, giving him 10 scoreless innings over his first two big league starts.

The Cubs won for the sixth time in seven games. They took two of three in a weekend set that showcased four of the majors’ top Japanese players.

Shohei Ohtani doubled in Mookie Betts in the eighth to account for the Dodgers’ only run. Ohtani also hit a two-out triple in the sixth, but Freddie Freeman bounced to third for the final out of the inning.

Yency Almonte (1-0) struck out two in a scoreless inning for the victory against his former team. Daniel Palencia worked three innings for his first career save.

The Wrigley Field grounds crew worked on the mound and infield throughout the rainy, cold afternoon. The game was stopped with the Cubs leading 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth.

Michael Busch hit a bases-clearing double against his former team to put the Cubs ahead 3-0 in the first. Chicago loaded the bases on Freeman’s error, a single and a walk.

Busch and Almonte were acquired in a trade with Los Angeles in January.

Cubs RHP Javier Assad (1-0, 0.00) is scheduled to pitch Monday at San Diego. Padres RHP Yu Darvish (0-1, 2.30 ERA) will face his former team.

The Miami Marlins ended their team-record nine-game losing streak starting the season when Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Nick Gordon hit three-run homers in a six-run first inning that lifted them over the St. Louis Cardinals 10-3 on Sunday.

Max Meyer had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 9, 2022, and returned to a major league mound this April 1, when he pitched five innings without a decision against the Los Angeles Angels.

Meyer retired his first 13 batters before Nolan Gorman homered on a drive that bounced off the glove of a leaping Chisholm at the center-field wall. Gorman hit his first two home runs this season, adding a two-run drive in the ninth off Matt Andriese for his seventh career multi-homer game.

Kyle Gibson (1-1) allowed seven runs and seven hits over six innings in his home debut for St. Louis.

Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (1-1, 6.10 ERA) will face Phillies RHP Spencer Turnbull (1-0, 0.00 ERA) Monday night to open a three-game series.

Paolo Banchero scored 24 points, Jalen Suggs added 19 and the Orlando Magic kept up their playoff push with a 113-98 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night.

DeMar DeRozan had 30 points for the Bulls and Javonte Green, starting for the first time this season in place of injured forward Alex Caruso, added 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Bulls, locked into the bottom half of the Eastern Conference play-in bracket, shot 50.7% from the field but made only six 3-pointers and had 21 turnovers.

With four games remaining, the Bulls (37-41) cannot move up but can drop down to 10th place. They are playing for home court in the first play-in game against Atlanta.

The Magic (46-32) moved into a tie for third place in the East by completing a four-game sweep of the Bulls. They are a game behind second-place Milwaukee, tied with New York, a half-game ahead of Cleveland, 1 1/2 games ahead of sixth-place Indiana, 2 1/2 ahead of Philadelphia and three ahead of Miami.

The Bulls host New York on Tuesday.

Jordan Kyrou scored in the shootout and the St. Louis Blues beat the Anaheim Ducks 6-5 on Sunday to preserve their slim playoff hopes.

Robert Thomas had a goal and three assists, and Zack Bolduc, Matthew Kessel, Pavel Buchnevich and Brayden Schenn also scored to help the Blues bounce back from a disastrous 3-2 overtime loss to San Jose on Saturday. Jordan Binnington finished with 33 saves through overtime and Kyrou had three assists.

Having come into the game with an already narrow path to reach the postseason, likely needing to win their final five games and have either Nashville or Vegas go on a major regulation losing streak, St. Louis escaped with two points despite giving up a two-goal lead in the third period.

In the tiebreaker, Kyrou converted on the Blues’ first attempt, and Binnington saved tries by Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry after Trevor Zegras hit the post.

Buchnevich gave the Blues a 4-2 lead early in the second period on a one-timer from the right circle for his 27th of the season.

St. Louis managed to overcome not having forward Jake Neighbours and defenseman Justin Faulk available after both were injured against the Sharks. Neighbours sustained an upper-body injury on a hit from Sharks center Luke Kunin in the second period. Faulk then fought Kunin and was hurt during the scrap.

Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said before the game that Neighbours and Faulk are day-to-day pending further evaluation once the team returns to St. Louis.

The Blues host Chicago on Wednesday night.

Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and an assist, rookie Jesper Wallstedt made 24 saves in posting his first NHL shutout and the Minnesota Wild beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 on Sunday.

Wallstedt, who gave up seven goals on 34 shots in his NHL debut at Dallas on Jan. 10, got the shutout in his first time back in net for the Wild. The Blackhawks were shut out for an NHL-high 13th time this season.

The victory keeps Minnesota’s slim playoff hopes alive. It has 83 points with five games remaining. Vegas and Nashville, the top two wild-card teams in the Western Conference, entered Sunday with 92 points.

Chicago is at St. Louis on Wednesday.

William Byron took the lead with 73 laps to go and held on after a second straight race ended in overtime, outrunning teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott for the win.

Byron, the first of the contenders to pit under a green flag with 104 laps to go, moved to the front 31 laps later and was never threatened after getting the jump at the start of overtime. It was his second victory on the 0.526-mile, paper-clip-shaped oval.

He stayed out when John Hunter Nemechek crashed in turn three with three laps to go, as did Elliott and Larson, running second and third, and they produced the first 1-2-3 finish for any team in Martinsville’s long history hosting stock car races.

Larson rallied to finish second, Elliott third, Bubba Wallace fourth and Ryan Blaney, last fall’s winner here, fifth. The fourth Hendrick driver, Alex Bowman, finished eighth.

The race featured long green flag runs, with two of the five cautions pre-planned at the end of stages one and two. There were 13 lead changes among eight drivers.

The victory was the 29th for Hendrick at NASCAR’s smallest, oldest track, a record for an organization at any venue. Geoff Bodine had the first win at Martinsville on April 29, 1984. It convinced team owner Rick Hendrick not to fold his fledgling team.

All four Hendrick cars featured ruby red paint schemes, marking the anniversary.

The Hendrick organization hosted more than 1,000 current and former employees for the race, but the owner was not able to attend, having recently undergone knee replacement surgery.

Larson, the defending race winner and pole-sitter, led all 80 laps in the first stage. Joey Logano gambled by taking right side tires only during pit stops after the stage and led the first 83 laps of green-flag racing in the second stage before Denny Hamlin passed him to win the stage.

Hamlin, a five-time winner at Martinsville, finished 11th.

The series moves across the country to Texas Motor Speedway, where the drivers hope the repaved track will have cured some to allow for more passing since the repave.

Three Clinton pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout Saturday as Clinton beat Dee-Mack 3-0 in non-conference high school baseball action from Mackinaw Saturday.

Preston Curtis threw 1 1/3 innings of one-hit ball without a walk or strikeout. Brock Wilson struck out three in 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Mason Walker struck out three in 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. The senior only walked one batter without allowing a hit.

Walker also walked twice at the plate, scored twice, and stole a base. Colton Walker was 1-for-2 with a stolen base while Jack Manning and Aiden Toohill drove in runs in the win.

The Maroons go to 8-3 overall and will take on GCMS on Monday at Clinton High School.

The Clinton Lady Maroons came out swinging Saturday and rolled to 16-4 five-inning, run-rule win over El Paso-Gridley in non-conference girls softball action from El Paso.

Brooke Reeves reached base five times all on free passes. She scored three runs. Hadley Humble doubled twice and drove in a run and scored twice. 

Avery Smith was 1-for-4 with three RBIs for the Lady Maroons. Heidi Humble drove in a run and scored twice for Clinton while Ashley Armstrong and Aliviyah Haynes drove in runs as well.

Haynes allowed four unearned runs in five innings. She walked two and permitted five hits with five strikeouts.

The Lady Maroons move to 5-5 overall. They will travel to Warrensburg-Latham on Tuesday for a Central Illinois Conference matchup.

Blue Ridge scored nine runs in the seventh inning and rallied to an 11-8 win over Georgetown-Ridge Farm Saturday in non-conference softball action Saturday in Georgetown.

Cassie Zimmerman doubled, homered and drove in three runs for the Lady Knights. Addison Roos was 3-for-5 with four RBIs and a run scored.

Ellie Schlieper finished 3-for-4 with an RBI. She also allowed eight runs, but only two were earned, on eight hits with ten strikeouts and three walks. 

Blue Ridge goes to 3-7 overall. They are back in action Monday hosting Argenta-Oreana.

Matt Swartz broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the 8th inning with a sacrifice fly helping Monticello retain a perfect record and hold off IVC 4-1 in eight innings from Chillicothe in Illini Prairie Conference baseball Saturday morning.

Swartz was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Dylan Brown finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Koyie Williams was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Moving to the top of the order in a lineup shakeup, Luke Tesche reached base four times with three walks and finished 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Williams threw seven innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. He walked one and permitted five hits. Ike Young closed out the win with a scoreless inning of relief, striking out two. 

Monticello remains perfect on the season going to 15-0. The Sages return to action Monday hosting Champaign St. Thomas More. Hear the action at 4:30 pm on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Mt. Pulaski scored eight runs in the sixth inning and ten ruled Decatur MacArthur 16-0 in six innings Saturday in Decatur.

Eric Cooper paced the Hilltoppers' offense going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Landon Smith and Chance Payne each doubled twice. Payne drove in three runs while Liam Smith was 1-for-3 with three RBIs. 

Four Hilltoppers pitchers combined for six innings of shutout ball. Luke Martin got the start and struck out four in two innings of perfect work. Cooper struck out three in two innings of scoreless relief.

Tyler Cross and Franklin Wade scored three runs each for Mt. Pulaski.

The Hilltoppers stay perfect on the season at 9-0 and will travel to Cerro Gordo-Bement on Tuesday. 

Lincoln could only muster a pair of hits as Pawnee rolled to a 5-0 win in non-conference high school baseball Saturday in Lincoln.

Trey Schilling and Karson Komnick registered the only hits for the Railsplitters. 

Jacob Butler went 6 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for Pawnee. He struck out two, allowed two hits and walked two batters. 

Lincoln evens its record at 5-5 overall. The Railsplitters return to action Tuesday afternoon at Springfield High.

Normal West combined for 31 runs and a no-hitter in a doubleheader Saturday sweep over Urbana in Big 12 high school baseball from Normal.

Bradyn Whitehead was a home run short of the cycle in the first game as Normal West rolled to a 14-0, five inning, run-rule win.

Whitehead doubled in two in the third inning and then tripled in two more in the fourth. He was 3-for-4 with four RBIs, three runs scored and walked. 

Chase Knuth was 1-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored for the Wildcats. Alex Olson was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Taylor Hafermann hit a two-run home run for Normal West while Trent Durham tripled and brought in a run and Blake Crancer doubled and brought in a run.

Hafermann struck out eight across four innings of one-hit ball. 

In the second game, Sam DesCarpentrie hit a solo home run and drove in four runs leading the Wildcats to a 17-0, five inning, run-rule romp.

The senior was added a two-run double finishing 2-for-4 with four RBIs and scored twice. Olson was 1-for-2 with three RBIs and scored twice for Normal West while Crancer, Knuth, and Jaxson Crance all drove in two runs apiece. 

Brady Hart was 3-for-4 with a double at the top of the order in the second game of the afternoon and scored twice. Knuth, Jaxson Crancer, Hart, and Sean Jenkins all hit doubles.

Sam Beirne tossed three innings of no-hit ball. The junior walked five and hit a batter but struck out five for the Wildcats. Jenkins threw an inning of relief with two strikeouts.

With Saturday's two wins, Normal West goes to 7-5 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12. The Wildcats are back in action hosting Bloomington on Monday. They beat Bloomington 8-3 on Friday.

Normal Community kept its unblemished record intact - scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and rallying past Dunlap 7-5 in non-conference high school boys baseball Saturday in Normal.

Riley Hendren drew a bases-loaded walk to make the score 5-4. Ryan Theile grounded out to add another run and tie the score at 5-5. Anthony Gura broke the tie with an RBI single for the Ironmen.

Kyle Beaty was 1-for-2 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored at the top of the order for Normal. Kaileb Hackman added an RBI base hit for the Ironmen while Hendren scored two runs. 

Jack Richards and Luke Klunke combined for five one-run innings for Normal. Richards allowed a hit and struck out three in two innings. Klunke struck out three, walked four, and allowed a run on two hits. 

The Ironmen go to 12-0 on the season. They will travel to Champaign Central on Monday for a rematch of an 8-5 win for Normal on Friday in Normal.

Lincoln used a balanced offensive attack to take down Rochester 6-2 in Central Illinois Conference boys baseball action from Rochester Friday afternoon.

The Railsplitters jumped out to a 6-0 lead after five and never relinquished it. 

Wyatt Mammen struck out six in 4 2/3 innings. He permitted two runs on four hits and walked four. Colby Glenn struck out four in 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. 

Griffin Shaw was 1-for-2 with a double, two RBIs, and walked twice for Lincoln.

Jarrett Evers was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. The Railsplitters got RBIs from Trey Schilling, Brenden Wurth, Michael Lucas, and Drew Hayes.

Lincoln is 5-4 overall and 2-1 in the CS8. They take on Pawnee today (Saturday).

Normal West scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning and got by its in-town rival Bloomington 8-5 Friday afternoon in Big 12 high school baseball action in Bloomington.

Tyler Dowling twirled six innings of excellent baseball for the Raiders. The junior allowed three runs, two were earned, on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

The Wildcats were paced by Blake Crancer who finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. Sam DesCarpentrie was 2-for-4 while Alex Olson, Sean Jenkins, and Taylor Hafermann. 

Trent Durham went four innings for Normal West allowing three runs on four hits with two walks and struck out five.

Chase Reinhart threw three hitless innings of relief with four strikeouts.

Bloomington falls 6-4 overall. They are in Peoria today (Saturday) to take on Peoria Notre Dame. 

Normal West is 5-5 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12. The Wildcats take on Urbana today (Saturday) in more Big 12 action. 

Jonah Roper struck out ten in 4 1/3 innings of relief as Normal Community took advantage of erratic Champaign Central pitching Friday in an 8-5 Big 12 Conference win from Normal in high school baseball action.

Roper allowed an unearned run and allowed three hits. 

The Ironmen drew 12 walks in total Friday. Ryan Theile drove in three runs finishing 1-for-2. Luke Drengwitz and Riley Hendren drew three walks apiece as only four of Normal's eight runs were credited to RBIs.

Hendren scored three runs. Kyle Beaty was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Ironmen move to 11-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12. They are back in action today taking on Dunlap.

Nelson Velázquez and MJ Melendez each homered and drove in two runs, leading Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals to a 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.

Right fielder Hunter Renfroe threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the sixth inning before Kansas City broke it open with eight runs in the seventh.

Velázquez drove in the first two runs of the game with a single and a homer.

Lugo (1-0) allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings for his first win with the Royals. It was the latest quality outing by one of Kansas City's starters, who have a 1.43 ERA.

Michael Soroka (0-1) gave up two runs and six hits over six innings in his second start for the White Sox.

Kansas City scored in the second on an RBI single by Velázquez.

The White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the third on a pair of singles and an error by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., but Witt redeemed himself by turning an inning-ending double play.

The Royals busted it open in the seventh. Deivi García issued a pair of one-out walks and a single to pinch-hitter Adam Frazier. Kyle Isbel drove in two runs with a single and Maikel Garcia drove in another, chasing García. Dominic Leone walked Witt before a two-out error by Shewmake at shortstop scored three more.

Melendez then smacked his first homer of the season, a two-run shot.

Chicago signed RHP Mike Clevinger to a $3 million, one-year contract and optioned him to the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, INF José Rodríguez was designated for assignment.

The teams play the second game of a four-game series Friday.

Nolan Gorman hit a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning and the St. Louis Cardinals won their home opener, 8-5 on Thursday over the winless Miami Marlins, who are off to the worst start in the 33-year history of the franchise.

Jake Burger hit a pair of homers for Miami (0-8), which is off to the worst start in the majors since Atlanta and Minnesota each lost their first nine games in 2016.

The Marlins are the only winless team in baseball after the New York Mets got their first win Thursday, beating Detroit.

Lance Lynn, making his first start for St. Louis since Sept. 28, 2017, allowed three homers and was charged with four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Giovanny Gallegos (1-0) got the last out in the seventh. Ryan Helsley worked the ninth for his second save in three opportunities.

Miami LHP Trevor Rogers (0-0, 7.20 ERA) will face LHP Steven Matz (0-0, 3.38) when the three-game series resumes Saturday.

Denny Hamlin gained the lead on pit road preparing for a green-white-checker finish and held off Joey Logano to win for the fifth time in his career at Richmond.

After a drama-filled finish in Richmond, more short track racing is on the menu this weekend when the series heads to Martinsville.

Hamlin’s victory was his second of the season and pulled Joe Gibbs Racing even with Hendrick Motorsports with three wins each through seven races. It also was the 53rd of Hamlin’s career, 13th all-time. 

Hamlin led twice for just 17 laps while teammate Martin Truex Jr. led for 228 but finished fourth after a caution forced overtime. 

Joey Logano was second, followed by Larson. Chase Elliott finished fifth. 

Truex is the only driver to have finished on the lead lap in every race and remained the points leader by 14 over Larson and 18 over Hamlin. The caution that forced overtime was just the fifth in the race.

Larson won after starting 19th last spring. Practice and qualifying time is 3:30 pm Saturday afternoon. Race time is 2 pm on Sunday.

Chandler Smith took the lead with 59 laps to go and won the Xfinity spring race at Richmond for the second year in a row. The series joins the Cup series in Martinsville this weekend.

Smith led a 1-2-3 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing — Aric Almirola won the first two stages and finished second and Taylor Gray was third — and a 1-2-3-4 finish for Toyota, just the second in the manufacturer’s history in the series. 

The victory was the third of Smith’s career in the series and second this year. Austin Hill finished eighth, ending his streak of finishing in the top five in every race this year. He also lost the points lead, falling 10 behind Chandler Smith.

Practice and qualifying is this afternoon at 4 pm. Race time is 6:30 pm on Saturday.

Heim won in overtime at the Circuit of the Americas, his first victory this year and the sixth of his career as the Craftsman Truck Series gets back to action after a three-week break this weekend in Martinsville.

Practice and qualifying is this afternoon at 2 pm with race tiem at 6:30 pm. 

Filip Forsberg had two goals and an assist, Juuse Saros made 44 saves and the Nashville Predators beat the St. Louis Blues 6-3 on Thursday night to snap a three-game losing streak.

Roman Josi, Anthony Beauvillier, Michael McCarron, and Mark Jankowski also scored goals and Gustav Nyquist had three assists for Nashville.

Brandon Saad, Jake Neighbours, and Jordan Kyrou scored and Jordan Binnington made 25 saves for St. Louis, losers of two of their last three.

Nashville sits atop the Western Conference’s wild-card standings with 92 points, eight clear of third place St. Louis. Both teams have played 76 games. The Predators swept the three-game season series with the Blues.

The Blues visit San Jose on Saturday night.

The Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox had their game postponed Wednesday because of a forecast of persistent rain and snow.

The game was rescheduled for June 27, when the Braves had been scheduled off following a trip that ended with a night game in St. Louis and before a homestand opening the following night against Pittsburgh. Chicago had an off day in the middle of a homestand that started against the Los Angeles Dodgers and ended against Colorado.

Atlanta’s Spencer Strider had been scheduled to face fellow right-hander Dominic Leone, a reliever intended to be used as an opener for the homestand finale.

Michael Soroka (0-0, 7.20) faces RHP Seth Lugo (0-0, 0.00) to start a series at Kansas City on Thursday night.

Kyle Higashioka caught two baserunners stealing and homered in the same inning to help Joe Musgrove and the San Diego Padres beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Wednesday and avoid a three-game sweep.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, Higashioka became the sixth catcher since 1961 to catch multiple runners stealing and hit a home run in the same inning. The others were Sammy Taylor of the Chicago Cubs in 1961, Johnny Romano of the Chicago White Sox in 1966, Ted Simmons of the Cardinals in 1975, Joe Ferguson of the Houston Astros in 1977 and Bengie Molina of the Anaheim Angels in 2000.

Musgrove (1-1) held the Cardinals to one run and five hits in six innings, with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Robert Suarez got a five-out save, his third. Wandy Peralta hit the first two batters in the eighth with pitches and a run scored on second baseman Xander Bogaerts' throwing error on a potential double-play ball. Suarez came on and walked Contreras before getting Arenado to ground into an inning-ending double play. Suarez allowed two baserunners with one out in the ninth before striking out the final two batters.

The five-out save was significant because previous closer Josh Hader, who signed as a free agent with Houston, was reluctant to pitch multiple innings as well as to pitch three days in a row.

Thompson loaded the bases with two outs in the first and walked Jurickson Profar to bring in San Diego's first run. Fernando Tatis Jr.'s grounder in the second made it 2-0.

Thompson allowed three runs and five hits in five innings, with five strikeouts and four walks.

Lance Lynn (0-0) is scheduled to start the home opener Thursday against the Miami Marlins and LHP Ryan Weathers (0-1, 6.75).

Seiya Suzuki homered in his second straight game and drove in four runs and the Chicago Cubs regrouped to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-8 after blowing a six-run lead Wednesday night.

The Cubs looked as if they were on their way to another easy win with an 8-2 lead in the sixth after outscoring the Rockies by a combined 17-2 in the first two games. Colorado made a big push, scoring a run in the seventh and five in the eighth to tie it.

Pinch-hitter Miles Mastrobuoni reached on a wild pitch by Nick Mears (0-1) as he struck out leading off the bottom half. He took third on a single by Ian Happ and beat the throw home on Suzuki’s fielder’s choice grounder to third baseman Ryan McMahon to put Chicago back on top, 9-8.

Suzuki had three hits. Miguel Amaya drove in three runs, and the Cubs won their fourth in a row. The Rockies are 1-6, though they sure made things interesting in the eighth.

Jake Cave drove a two-run double to left against Héctor Neris (2-0). Two more scored when second baseman Nico Hoerner threw wildly to first fielding Charlie Blackmon’s single, and Ezequiel Tovar tied it with a double to deep center, just beyond a lunging Mike Tauchman.

Adbert Alzolay pitched around a leadoff single by Kris Bryant in the ninth for his first save.

Suzuki drove in two with a single to cap a four-run second against Rockies starter Cal Quantrill and greeted Jalen Beeks with a drive to left-center leading off the fifth on a cold and soggy night.

Amaya hit a sacrifice fly in the second and drove in two more with a bases-loaded single against Tyler Kinley in the sixth. Center fielder Brenton Doyle’s errant throw on the play allowed another run to score, making it 8-2.

Chicago's Luke Little, making his first career start, threw 14 pitches in a perfect first inning after recording the final three outs in Tuesday’s 12-2 romp. Little became the first Cubs pitcher to finish a game and start the next one since Rick Reuschel at San Francisco and at the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 2 and May 4, 1976. He’s the first to do it for Chicago against the same team since Warren Hacker on May 1-2, 1955 at Philadelphia, according to team historian Ed Hartig.

Quantrill threw 90 pitches in four innings, allowing four runs and four hits. The right-hander walked four and struck out three in his second start for Colorado following an offseason trade from Cleveland.

The Cubs have not announced who will start Friday, when they open a three-game series against Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers. RHP Bobby Miller (1-0, 0.00) gets the ball for Los Angeles.

The Clinton Maroons did very little wrong at the plate Tuesday as they buried Meridian 19-0 in four innings of a Central Illinois Conference win from Meridian.

Mason Walker paced the Maroons' offense going 3-for-4 with five RBIs and four runs scored.

Brooks Cluver finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Brock Wilson was 4-for-5 at the top of the lineup with three runs scored, a double, and RBI.

Colton Walker also finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Joash Bass and Jack Manning drove in a pair of runs while Ryne Pine and Jon Smock recorded RBIs for Clinton.

Preston Curtis pitched three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and allowed three hits. Cluver struck out one and walked one in an inning of scoreless relief.

The Maroons go to 7-3 overall and 2-0 in the CIC. They are scheduled to play today at home against Williamsville.

The Meridian Hawks were too much for Clinton who fell 12-2 in Central Illinois Conference softball action from Meridian Tuesday afternoon. 

Avery Smith drove in two runs for Clinton finishing 1-for-2. Heidi Humble was 1-for-2 with a double and run scored. Brooke Reeves finished 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk. Sarah Mills also went 1-for-3 for the Lady Maroons.

Clinton drops to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in the Central Illinois Conference. They are scheduled to travel to Fisher today. 

In a game heard on WHOW, Thea Key hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning giving Monticello a 16-4, run-rule win over Tri-Valley in non-conference softball action at the Wilkey Complex in Monticello Tuesday.

Key drove in five runs on the day finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Key was the ServPro for Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game. Marissa Miller was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a walk.

The Lady Sages took advantage of sloppy defense at times for the Lady Vikings. Tri-Valley was back in action for the first time in over a week as they did not play due to spring break.

Cassidee Stoeffel drove in two runs finishing 2-for-4. The sophomore was struck out six in five innings picking up the win in circle for Monticello.

Ali Weidner scored three runs finishing with a pair of walks and reached on an error.

The Lady Sages are scheduled to travel to Oakwood on Thursday.

Garrett Crochet pitched seven sparkling innings, pinch-hitter Paul DeJong had a tiebreaking homer and the Chicago White Sox got their first win by beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Michael Kopech needed five outs and 39 pitches for his first professional save. He came in with two on in the eighth and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam.

In the ninth, he gave up a solo homer to Marcell Ozuna with one out and ran into more trouble with two outs. He walked Michael Harris II and gave up a single to Orlando Arcia, putting runners on first and second, before retiring Travis d’Arnaud on a pop fly to end the game.

Gavin Sheets and Andrew Vaughn hit RBI singles, and the White Sox overcame two home runs by Ozuna to win after an 0-4 start.

Crochet (1-1) held the Braves to one run and three hits in his second professional start. The hard-throwing left-hander struck out eight and walked one after an impressive performance in Chicago’s opening 1-0 loss to Detroit.

Sheets put Chicago ahead 1-0 in the sixth with an RBI single against Reynaldo López. Ozuna tied it in the seventh with a drive to left. But DeJong - batting for Braden Shewmake - put Chicago back on top when he greeted A.J. Minter (0-1) with a drive to left leading off the bottom half for his second homer.

Vaughn made it 3-1 when he drove in Luis Robert Jr. with a single in the eighth. And Kopech kept his composure in the ninth, with some mound visits from catcher Martin Maldonado.

White Sox Manager Grifol says there's a good chance DH Eloy Jiménez (left adductor soreness) avoids the injured list. Jiménez was out of the lineup for the second straight game.

The Braves send ace Spencer Strider (0-0, 3.60 ERA) to the mound for the series finale. A 20-game winner last season, Strider lasted five innings in Atlanta's opening win at Philadelphia. The White Sox had not announced their starter. 

Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel and Garrett Cooper homered, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Colorado Rockies 12-2 on Tuesday night for their third straight win.

Bellinger's two-run drive off the right-field scoreboard at Wrigley Field was his first homer of the season. The 2019 NL MVP re-signed with the Cubs for a $80 million, three-year contract in February.

Cooper hit a three-run shot in the sixth that gave Chicago a 10-0 lead. He also doubled and tripled in his first home start with the Cubs.

Cooper, a right-handed batter in his eighth season, struck all three hits to right field. The 33-year-old Cooper likes to drive the ball to the opposite field, and he said Wrigley's dimensions and characteristics were a factor for him in signing with the Cubs in March.

Nick Madrigal added two hits and three RBIs. Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson each had two of the Cubs' 14 hits.

Chicago right-hander Javier Assad allowed four hits in six scoreless innings. He struck out five and walked one in his first start of the season.

Michael Toglia hit a two-run homer for Colorado in the seventh against Jose Cuas. Charlie Blackmon had three of the Rockies’ seven hits.

Colorado has been outscored 49-16 during its 1-5 start. The Rockies lost 5-0 to Shota Imanaga and the Cubs in the series opener on Monday.

Cal Quantrill (0-1, 9.00 ERA) starts for the Rockies in the series finale on Wednesday. LHP Luke Little (0-0) will start for the Cubs in what should be a bullpen day.

Willson Contreras hit a two-run homer off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Tuesday night to win the first two of a three-game series.

Miles Mikolas (1-1), who broke into the majors with San Diego in 2012, improved to 3-2 against his old squad. He allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings.

Ryan Helsley worked the ninth for his first save in two chances.

Cardinals LHP Zack Thompson (0-1, 8.44 ERA) and Padres RHP Joe Musgrove (0-1, 9.72) are scheduled to start the series finale on Wednesday.

Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom scored in the third period to help the New York Islanders top the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Ilya Sorokin made 18 saves for New York, which pulled within one point of Washington for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.

Jason Dickinson scored for last-place Chicago, which had won three of four. Connor Bedard had an assist, and Petr Mrazek made 27 stops.

The Blackhawks jumped in front when Bedard found Dickinson darting toward the back post 7:49 into the first period. Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson turned the puck over in the offensive zone and Casey Cizikas failed to stick with Dickinson, which created an odd-man rush opportunity.

It was Dickinson's 21st goal, extending his career high. It was Bedard's team-high 37th assist in his rookie season after Chicago selected the 18-year-old center with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft.

The Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

Villa Grove scored eight runs in the third inning and blanked Blue Ridge 11-0 in five innings Monday afternoon in Villa Grove in Lincoln Prairie Conference softball action.

Addison Roos paced the Lady Knights with a pair of hits including a double. Cassie Zimmerman recorded a double for Blue Ridge, its only other hit on the game. 

The Lady Knights drop to 2-6 overall and 0-1 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference. They are back in action this afternoon at Danville Schlarman. 

Ryan Thiele doubled three times leading Normal Community to a 13-0, five-inning romp over Danville in Big 12 baseball action Monday afternoon in Danville.

The senior finished 3-for-3 on the afternoon driving in a run and scoring twice. 

Anthony Gura was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. Kyle Beat, Parker Michels, Reid Johnson, and Luke Drengwitz drove in runs for the Ironmen.

Dexter Niekamp tripled in a run and walked finishing 1-for-3 and scoring three runs.

Jake Branch got the start for Normal firing three innings of shutout ball to go with three strikeouts, a walk and allowed a hit. Jack Richards finished the final two frames striking out three without allowing a hit or a walk. 

The Ironmen move to 10-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Big 12. They are back in action this afternoon taking on Moline United.

Austin Riley hit a three-run homer, Charlie Morton threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago White Sox 9-0 on Monday in a game shortened to eight innings because of rain.

Morton (1-0) - the oldest starter in the majors this season - allowed three hits, walked two and struck out six in his season debut to hand Chicago its fourth loss in as many games.

Riley’s homer, off reliever Dominic Leone, came one pitch after the end of a 44-minute rain delay. He finished the day with four RBIs.

The game was halted again after the eighth and called 20 minutes later.

Yoán Moncada had a pair of hits for the White Sox, who have started 0-4 for first time since 2015.

Former White Sox RHP Reynaldo López makes his first start of the season against LHP Garrett Crochet (0-1, 1.50 ERA) on Tuesday night. Hear tonight's action WHOW.

Shota Imanaga pitched six sparkling innings in his major league debut, and the Cubs used another defensive mistake by Nolan Jones to beat the Colorado Rockies 5-0 on Monday.

Working in short sleeves on a cold, gray afternoon, Imanaga struck out nine in Chicago's home opener. The Japanese left-hander, who signed a $53 million, four-year contract with the Cubs in January, allowed two singles and walked none - throwing 65 of his 92 pitches for strikes.

Dakota Hudson also was impressive in his first start for Colorado, but a pair of errors on Jones on one play in the sixth sent the right-hander to the loss.

With one out and runners on first and second in a scoreless game, Christopher Morel lined a single into left field. The ball went under the glove of a charging Jones and rolled all the way to the wall.

Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki raced home as the Wrigley Field crowd of 40,072 roared its approval. Jones' throw from the warning track got away from second baseman Brendan Rodgers in the outfield grass, and Morel scored on a headfirst slide.

Cody Bellinger added a two-run single in the seventh as Chicago earned its second straight win after dropping the first two games of the season at Texas.

Yency Almonte worked the seventh for Chicago before Drew Smyly finished the three-hitter.

Imanaga (1-0) was working on a no-hitter before Charlie Blackmon singled to center with two out in the sixth inning. Rodgers followed with another base hit, but Imanaga escaped the jam by fanning Jones.

Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland and Chicago right-hander Javier Assad take the mound on Tuesday night. Freeland (0-1, 38.57 ERA) was rocked for 10 runs and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings in a 16-1 loss at Arizona on Thursday on opening day. Assad is making his first appearance of the season.

Vit Krejci made all his shots and set career highs with 18 points and six 3-pointers, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 20 and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Chicago Bulls 113-101 Monday night in a matchup between potential play-in tournament opponents.

Krejci made all six field-goal attempts and surpassed his previous highs of 16 points and four 3s, helping Atlanta win for the fifth time in six games.

Dejounte Murray scored 17 points and Clint Capela added 15 points and 11 rebounds as the 10th-place Hawks moved within a half-game of the ninth-place Bulls in the Eastern Conference. Chicago owns the head-to-head tiebreaker after taking two of three from Atlanta and would host a play-in game if the teams finish tied.

DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 31 points. Coby White scored 22. Ayo Dosunmu added 15 points, and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 18 rebounds.

Bogdanovic made 6 of 7 shots, including a pair of 3s. The hot-shooting Hawks went 19 of 40 from beyond the arc the Bulls made just 7 of 28.

Bogdanovic also had to be separated from coach Quin Snyder during a timeout late in the game. Bogdanovic slammed a water bottle and kept pointing at his chest as he rose from his seat and got in Snyder's face.

Atlanta led by 17 late in the third quarter and was never seriously threatened after that.

Krejci, a third-year pro from the Czech Republic, almost matched his career scoring high in the first half. He made all five shots and a 3 just before the halftime buzzer to give the Hawks a 61-53 lead.

Murray scored 11 in the half and made three 3s, and the Hawks were 14 of 26 on 3-pointers through the first two quarters.

The Bulls' Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery) was in Chicago, and Zach LaVine (right foot surgery) and Patrick Williams (left foot surgery) were flying in to continue their rehab. Javonte Green missed the game to tend to a family matter. His 10-day contract was also set to expire.

Three of Chicago's final six games are against New York, starting with Friday's game at the United Center.

Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan each hit a two-run home run, Kyle Gibson was dominant in his St. Louis debut and the Cardinals won 6-2 Monday night against their former manager Mike Shildt and the San Diego Padres.

Shildt managed the Cardinals from August 2018 until 2021, when he was fired suddenly despite leading them to three straight playoff berths and winning the 2019 NL Manager of the Year honor. He worked in the Padres' organization the last two seasons before being promoted to manager in October after Bob Melvin left for his hometown San Francisco Giants with one year remaining on his contract in San Diego.

Gibson (1-0), a 36-year-old right-hander who's with his fifth big league team, allowed home runs to rookie Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr., but otherwise dominated. He allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings while striking out four and walking two.

It was a meaningful start for Gibson. He lives in the St. Louis area in the offseason, played at Missouri and had long wanted to pitch for his hometown team. This start came on a night when the Cardinals needed him to go deep.

The Cardinals didn't go easy on their former skipper and knuckleballer Matt Waldron, taking a 3-0 lead after just five batters. Donovan hit a leadoff single and scored on Nolan Arenado's two-out RBI double. Contreras then homered to center field, his first.

Paul Goldschmidt hit an RBI single in in the second to make it 4-0.

Merrill hit his first big league homer in the third, an opposite-field liner to left. In the fifth, he sent a fly ball toward the right-center gap but Jordan Walker made a sensational diving catch to end the inning.

Donovan homered to right in the sixth, his first, for a 6-1 lead.

Tatis homered into the second deck in left-center with one out in the sixth, his third in four games.

Waldron allowed four runs on nine hits in four innings while striking out seven and walking one.

Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (0-1, 10.38 ERA) faces Padres RHP Yu Darvish (0-0, 1.04) on Tuesday night.

Brandon Saad scored 2:09 into overtime, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Monday night.

Brayden Schenn scored twice and Jordan Binnington stopped 36 shots to help St. Louis improve to 8-2-1 in its last 11 games. The Blues are three points behind Los Angeles for the second wild card in the Western Conference.

Mattias Ekholm and Leon Draisaitl scored, and Stuart Skinner made 26 saves for Edmonton, which had won three straight.

The Blues are at Nashville on Thursday night to open a three-game road trip.

Former Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis was found dead in his South Florida home on Monday, but police say no foul play is suspected.

Police in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Davie said they responded to a medical emergency at Davis’ home Monday morning, but the 35-year-old was dead when officers arrived. No cause of death has been released pending autopsy results. Police said in a statement that the investigation is still active.

Davis played for 10 seasons in the NFL after being drafted 25th overall by the Dolphins in 2009 out of Illinois.

Davis played three seasons for Miami before being traded to Indianapolis just before the 2012 season. He played six seasons with the Colts. 

The Washington, D.C., native signed with the Buffalo Bills for 2018 but left the team at halftime of the season’s second game. He released a statement announcing his retirement after the game, saying that after multiple injuries and surgeries, “Reality hit me fast and hard: I shouldn’t be out there anymore.”

Davis played in 121 games, intercepting 22 passes and returning one for a touchdown. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2015 while a member of Indianapolis.

Mt. Pulaski made easy work of Decatur Eisenhower in a 14-0, five-inning run-rule win on Saturday afternoon in Decatur.

Eric Cooper went four hitless innings for the Hilltoppers. He struck out eight and

walked just one, facing two over the minimum. 

Preston Cowan was 2-for-2 with three RBIs while Aaron Volle finished 1-for-2 with two runs driven in for Mt. Pulaski. Luke Martin tripled going 2-for-3 with an RBI and Tucker Fitzpatrick scored three runs and doubled in his only plate appearance.

The Hilltoppers are 8-0 on the season. They will host Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on Tuesday in non-conference action.

Illinois (14-12, 5-1) swept Sunday's doubleheader against Penn State (13-12, 1-5) at Illinois Field - completing a series sweep over the Nittany Lions.

The Illini slugged 11 home runs, six in game one and five in game two. The Illini scored double-digit runs in all both games and have done so in five straight overall.

In game one, the Illini overcame an early 6-0 deficit and erupted for 17 runs on 16 hits, earning the run-rule victory.

Brody Harding went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, two home runs, and four RBIs. His three-run homer in the eighth capped a 10-run frame and ended the ballgame. Drake Westcott went 2-for-4 with three runs, two home runs, three RBI, and a walk. Cameron Chee-Aloy went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. 

Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.

Korery Bunselmeyer picked up the win out of the bullpen, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out two. Jake Rons tallied his second save of the season by working a scoreless eighth.

In game two, Illinois again overcame an early deficit, this time bouncing back from an early 4-0 hole to earn a 12-8 comeback victory.

Jacob Schroeder went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, two home runs, and six RBI, including a go-ahead grand slam with two outs in the fifth. Coltin Quagliano and Cal Hejza each posted three-hit games and went yard, combining for three RBI.

Ben Plumley took the victory out of the bullpen and Joe Glassey picked up the save by allowing just one run over the final 3.2 innings of the game, yielding just three hits and whiffing six batters. 

The Illini have now won a season-high five straight games and have won nine straight Big Ten home games, dating back to last season.

Illinois State's offense was clicking on all cylinders on Sunday at Hammons Field as Daniel Pacella blasted a pair of home runs to lead the Redbirds to a 11-2 win over Missouri State - completing the three-game weekend series sweep. 

Illinois State (14-11, 4-2 MVC) also got a home run from Auggie Rasmussen as the 'Birds lead 10-1 after six innings. 

Noah Smith opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. An RBI hit from JT Sokolove opened the 5th-inning scoring, but it was Pacella and Rasmussen delivered the big blows of the inning, a pair of two-RBI home runs as the 'Birds led 6-1 after the first four and a half innings.

Junior Tanner Perry conceded just one run to the Bears (10-15 overall, 1-5 MVC) in seven innings as he got the Sunday start for ISU.

Illinois State is scheduled to return home to host Illinois on April 2 at 5 p.m. CT from Duffy Bass Field.

In a game heard on WHOW Sunday, Jack Flaherty pitched six effective innings in his Detroit debut and Andy Ibáñez snapped a tie with a pinch-hit single in the ninth, sending the Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

Kerry Carpenter and Jake Rogers homered for the Tigers, who are 3-0 for the first time since 2016. Each of their wins in their season-opening series at Chicago was decided by one run.

Paul DeJong and Korey Lee went deep for the White Sox.

Fedde struck out seven and allowed five hits in 4 2/3 innings in his Chicago debut. 

The right-hander signed a $15 million, two-year contract in December after pitching in South Korea last season.

Tyler Holton (1-0) earned the win by striking out four in 1 1/3 innings. Jason Foley got Andrew Vaughn and Braden Shewmake to ground out to earn his second save.

Chris Flexen will face Atlanta and RHP Charlie Morton on Monday. Flexen signed with Chicago in free agency.

Pinch-hitter Max Muncy drilled a two-run homer to right field with one out in the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Sunday.

Teoscar Hernández had two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs as the Dodgers took three of four in the series.

St. Louis rookie Victor Scott II reached base three times and scored two runs while Paul Goldschmidt and Brendan Donovan both had two RBIs.

Los Angeles trailed 4-2 going into the bottom of the eighth before coming back. Hernández got the Dodgers within a run with his third homer of the season, a solo shot off to left-center off Andre Pallante.

Chris Taylor drew a walk before John King came in to replace Pallante. Muncy then hit a hanging slider over the wall in right-center off King (0-1), who was called up from Triple A Memphis on Sunday morning.

Scott got his first big-league hit with an infield single in the third inning. After advancing to second on Masyn Winn's single, he scored on Goldschmidt's single off Dodgers starter Gavin Stone.

Scott led off the fifth with a double off the wall in left-center and made it 2-0 on Donovan's base hit.

The Cardinals extended their lead to 4-0 in the sixth with a pair of runs with two outs and the bases loaded. Donovan was hit by Alex Vesia's fastball to bring in Willson Contreras and Goldschmidt reached on catcher interference to score Jordan Walker.

Cardinals starter Steven Matz kept the Dodgers in check before tiring in the sixth. Shohei Ohtani led off the inning with a ground-rule double down the right-field line. Ohtani came home two batters later on Hernández's double. Matz allowed two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals open a three-game series at San Diego on Monday. RHP Kyle Gibson makes his first start of the season.

Ian Happ tied his career high with four hits and drew a tiebreaking bases-loaded walk from José Leclerc in a four-run ninth inning, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 9-5 on Sunday to salvage the finale of their opening three-game series.

With the score 5-5, Leclerc (0-1) walked Michael Busch with one out, allowed Nico Hoerner’s swinging-bunt single down the third-base line and walked Mike Tauchman.

Miles Mastrobuoni grounded into a forceout at the plate, Happ fell behind in the count 1-2 but walked on a full-count fastball that sailed wide and Seiya Suzuki greeted Jacob Latz with a two-run single. Cody Bellinger singled in the final run.

Héctor Neris (1-0) pitched a one-hit eighth. Four Chicago relievers shut out Texas over the final five innings on two singles and one walk with seven strikeouts.

Rangers pitchers walked nine while allowing 12 hits.

Chicago was 4 for 14 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base. Texas was 3 for 12 and left nine on.

Christopher Morel hit a three-run homer in the first off Jon Gray, who allowed five runs - four earned - seven hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Marcus Semien hit a two-run single in the second against Jordan Wicks. Happ had an RBI double in the fourth, with another run scoring for a 5-2 lead when center fielder Leody Taveras misplayed the ball for an error.

Semien hit an RBI double in the fourth and scored on rookie Wyatt Langford’s tying two-run triple that one-hopped the 410-foot sign in center.

Langford, hitting second in the order with Corey Seager given a day off, also made a sliding, snow-cone catch in his first major league game in the outfield.

Wicks gave up five runs - two earned, - five hits and three walks in four innings. Cubs starters pitched 12 1/3 innings in the series.

Shota Imanaga will start the team’s home opener on Monday against Colorado RHP Dakota Hudson.

DeMar DeRozan had 27 points and eight assists and Alex Caruso added 21 points on a season-high seven 3-pointers as the hot-shooting Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-101 on Sunday.

Nikola Vucevic had 19 points and eight rebounds, Coby White scored 17 and Ayo Dosunmu added 13 for the Bulls, who shot 52.5% from the floor, including 58.6% from 3-point range.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but he also had six of Minnesota's 14 turnovers. Rudy Gobert had 19 points and 10 boards, Mike Conley finished with 19 points and seven assists, and Naz Reid had 14 points for the Timberwolves, who were trying to clinch a Western Conference playoff spot.

Caruso's impact wasn't limited to shooting. He also had five assists, five rebounds and five steals, and he kept Edwards in check on defense, holding Minnesota's leading scorer to 0 for 5 from beyond the arc.

Minnesota trailed by as much as 16 in the third quarter. But the Wolves chipped away, finally taking the lead 98-96 on Gobert's 3-point play with 5:21 remaining.

That was part of a 9-0 run that brought the packed Target Center crowd to its feet.

But DeRozan answered with a steal and a transition layup, then buried a 3 to put the Bulls back on top.

Caruso then hit his seventh 3-pointer and White scored on a fast break as the Bulls took a 106-99 lead with 2:03 to play.

The Bulls host Atlanta on Monday.

Denny Hamlin won the race off pit road with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. after a caution with two laps to go and won in overtime at Richmond Raceway on Sunday night.

Truex dominated the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series race — he led 288 laps — and seemed poised to hold off challenges by Joey Logano and Hamlin for the final two laps when Kyle Larson got nudged from behind on the front straightaway and skidded into the infield, causing the caution.

Larson had been fading from contention before the spin.

On the restart, Hamlin got a good jump from the inside lane, withstood a challenge from the outside from Truex, and held off Truex and two other challengers for the surprise victory.

Hamlin’s victory was his second this season, the fifth of his career at what he considers his home track, and the 53rd of his career, but it left Truex unhappy with several drivers involved.

NASCAR said they reviewed the restart and it was within the rules.

The victory pulled the four Gibbs Toyota teams even with the four Chevrolet teams from Hendrick Motorsports with three victories each through seven races.

Larson, who won this race last year, barely beat Truex off pit road during green flag stops with 65 laps to go, but Truex quickly caught him and pulled away as he had many times earlier.

Logano, who started the race 22nd in points with just one top 10 finish, worked his way into the lead pack in the second half, tried to run down Hamlin in the two-lap dash to the finish and was second, followed by Larson and Truex. It matched Ford’s best finish this season.

The race was delayed for about 30 minutes at the start because of rain, and the cars circled the track for several laps hoping to help dry the track before the green flag flew. They also ran the opening 30 laps on treaded tires meant for wet conditions before switching to racing slicks.

The competition caution after 30 laps also was non-competitive, meaning the drivers left pit road in the same position they were running when the caution came out.

The series completes its short track swing in Virginia next Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.