Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 6, 2009 4:15PM

Lee Powers Cubs
After missing two games for the birth of his newest child, Derek Lee returned to the lineup in dramatic for the Cubs, hitting a pair of homers that helped the Cubs down the Mets 5-3. Down 1-0 in the fourth, it was Aramis Ramirez that got the Cubs rolling with a two-run homer. After the Mets tied the game in the bottom of the inning, Lee hit his first homer of the game - a two-run shot - which proved to be the winning runs. Lee then added another homer in the eighth to give the Cubs a little breathing room. Rich Harden struck out 10 over five innings for the win and - after the bullpen held - Carlos Marmol got the save. The two teams tussle again today at 12:10 (WGN).

Sox Continue Win Streak
The White Sox continued their winning ways against Boston Red Sox with a 5-1 victory in which starter Gavin Floyd was perfect through the first 5.2 innings. Paul Konerko got a two-run single early, part of the White Sox three-run first, giving Floyd all the offensive support he would need. Floyd struck out 11 BoSox over eight innings, giving up only one run and three hits. Mark Kotsay and Konerko both added solo homers later in the game to give the Sox a few more runs to pad their lead. The ChiSox have now won four in a row but still sit seven games back of first-place Detroit. The pair of Sox do battle again later today at 1:05 (CSN).

College Football
Like manna from Heaven, football that counts is back in our lives.

• (23) Notre Dame had no problems dispatching Nevada in their season-opener, 35-0. Jimmy Clausen was the picture of efficiency, completing 15 of 18 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns.
• Illinois fell behind early and never got back on track as the Illini were wiped by Mizzou 37-9 in St. Louis. Juice Williams was ineffective, throwing for 179 yards and running for 27 yards. The Illini are now 0-6 in neutral-site openers.
• Northern Illinois did all they could to keep up with Wisconsin, but fell short 28-20. While the Huskies fell behind 28-6 at one point, a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns from Chad Spann cut the deficit to 8, but the Badgers held off NIU for the win.
• Northwestern had an easy opener against Towson, whipping the Tigers 47-14. The Wildcats were up 30-0 before Towson even got on the board. Arby Fields and Scott Concannon each had a pair of rushing touchdowns for Northwestern and Mike Kafka completed 15 of 20 passes for 192 yards in the winning effort.