>>Gant Homers As Red-Hot Cards Beat Nationals
(St. Louis, MO) — Starting pitcher John Gant drilled a two-run homer to help the red-hot Cardinals beat the Nationals 6-4 at Busch Stadium. It was the first career hit for Gant, who surrendered one earned run in five-and-a-third innings. Kolten Wong added a two-run double and solo shot for the Cards, who have won seven straight.
>>Brewers Shut Out Cubs At Wrigley
(Chicago, IL) — Ryan Braun smacked a pair of two-run homers as the Brewers blanked the Cubs 7-0 at Wrigley Field. Jose Quintana gave up five runs in as many innings to suffer the loss for the Cubs, who now lead Milwaukee by two games for first place in the NL Central. Chicago manager Joe Maddon was ejected in the bottom of the sixth after second baseman Ben Zobrist argued a called third strike. Zobrist was tossed after the eighth inning, the first ejection of his 13-year career.
>>Sox Defeat Tigers, End Three Game Losing Streak
(Detroit, MI) — Ryan LaMarre smacked a go ahead, solo homer in the second inning as the White Sox beat the Tigers 6-3 in Detroit. It was his first career home run. Jose Abreu added a two-run double in the fifth for the South Siders, who ended a three-game losing streak. Starter Lucas Giolito allowed three runs and struck out seven in six innings to pick up the win.
>>Acuna Stays Hot For Braves
(Atlanta, GA) — Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna [[ ah-CUHN-yah ]] Jr. is making more history. He led off with a homer for the third straight game in Atlanta’s 10-6 home win over Miami. Acuna finished with two homers and now has eight in his last eight games. The 20-year-old is youngest player in history to homer in five straight games.
>>Mariners Reinstate Cano
(Oakland, CA) — Robinson Cano [[ cuh-NO]] is back for the Mariners. He’s been reinstated after completing an 80-game suspension for violating baseball’s joint drug agreement. Cano played first base for Seattle on Tuesday and went 1-for-4 in his return. The eight-time All-Star is ineligible for the postseason this year due to the suspension.
>>Astros Lose Fifth Straight
(Houston, TX) — The defending World Series champions are on a five-game losing streak. The Astros fell 5-1 to the Rockies in Houston. Ace Justin Verlander took the loss, while the offense managed just three hits. At 73-and-47, Houston is now just one game ahead of Oakland in the AL West and four-and-a-half games ahead of Seattle.
>>Illinois Cornerbacks Coach Donnie Abraham Leaves Program
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois cornerbacks coach Donnie Abraham is leaving the program less than three weeks before the start of the football season. The team announced last night that he resigned from the staff for personal reasons. Head coach Lovie Smith indicated Abraham’s position won’t be filled for the upcoming season. The Fighting Illini open the season September 1st against Kent State.
>>Colts To Increase Luck’s Action
(Indianapolis, IN) — Andrew Luck will get more action in the next preseason game versus Baltimore on Monday. He played two series for the Colts in the first game. Luck is getting back in game shape after missing all of last season.
>>Steelers’ Roethlisberger In Concussion Protocol
(Pittsburgh, PA) — “Big Ben” is banged up. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger [[ ROTH-lis-bur-gur ]] is in the league’s concussion protocol after taking a hit during practice on Tuesday. He was able to walk off the field and is being evaluated. Roethlisberger had already been ruled out for Thursday’s preseason game against the Packers.
>>Maryland Football Fires Strength And Conditioning Coach
(College Park, MD) — Maryland football is firing strength and conditioning coach Rick Court. It comes after the university said mistakes were made in the treatment of offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who collapsed and died on the practice field. The school also accepted responsibility for the death. Head coach DJ Durkin is on administrative leave.