Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 27, 2009 3:30PM

Cubs Trip Giants
The Cubs won for the third straight game and for the sixth time in seven games since sending Milton Bradley packing for the year as they tripped up the Giants 6-2. Earlier this week, we said the Cubs' playoffs hopes were done. Even though the Cardinals (finally) clinched the NL Central, the Cubs do still have slim hopes of sneaking into the playoffs, 5.5 games back of Colorado in the Wild Card with 8 games left, though they'll still have to get through the Giants (which they will with a series sweep), Florida, a streaking Atlanta, and the aforementioned Rockies. Playoffs or not, the Cubs looked good yesterday, starter Tom Gorzelanny allowing only one run over five innings and the bullpen giving up only a solo homer in the seventh. The offense did their part, too, as Jake Fox and Geovany Soto had two RBIs each and Aramis Ramirez added a homer to the tally. The Cubs go for the sweep today at 3:05 p.m. (WGN).

Tigers Romp Past White Sox
The White Sox staked in early 5-0 lead but couldn't hold it as Detroit exploded for 12 runs over the final five innings to roll 12-5 over the Sox. Alex Rios had a solo homer in the second and Carlos Quentin hit a three-run shot in the fourth to help forge that early lead. Freddy Garcia pitched a sterling four innings to start the game, but it quickly unraveled and by the time he was yanked, the game was tied at 5-5 and Garcia ultimately proved responsible for seven runs. Scott Linebrink didn't fair much better as he gave up another four runs. The Sox aim to bounce back and take the series today at 1:05 p.m. (CSN).

Fire Tie Toronto
The Fire got a late header from Brian McBride to pull even 2-2 with Toronto, a score that would stick until the end. Down 1-0 early, the Fire wire the beneficiaries of an own goal by Toronto that tied the game. Next up for the Fire is a trip to L.A. this Friday.

College Football

• Notre Dame got a last minute touchdown to up-end Purdue 24-21. Leading 17-7 at halftime, the Irish allowed Purdue to get back in the game, but Jimmy Clausen threw a short touchdown pass with less 25 seconds left in the game to give the Irish the lead for good. Clausen threw for 171 yards, the one touchdown, and one interception in the winning effort.
• Illinois didn't have much to cheer about as they were blanked by Ohio State 30-0. The Illini only managed 170 total yards and Juice Williams struggled, completing 13 of 25 passes for only 77 yards and two interceptions. All told, the Illini had three turnovers in the loss.
• Northern Illinois led 3-0 early against Idaho, but spent most of the game playing catch-up to the Vandals. And in spite of a 15-point rally in the fourth quarter, NIU still lost by a 34-31 final.
• Twice down by 11, Northwestern rallied to take a second-half lead over Minnesota only to see that lead vanish in the fourth quarter as the Golden Gophers ultimately rallied past the Wildcats 35-24. Mike Kafka had a pair of touchdown passes and threw for 306 yards, but Northwestern had three turnovers and the defense couldn't shut down Minnesota's rushing game as the Gophers galloped for 166 yards rushing.