Thursday July 18th Local Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Dominic Smith put the New York Mets in front with his pinch-hit, three-run homer in the seventh inning, and Pete Alonso padded the lead in the eighth with a two-run shot in a 14-4 victory over Minnesota. That gave the Twins their first three-game losing streak of the season. Amed Rosario went 4 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs for the Mets, who posted their highest score of the year and matched a season best with their fourth consecutive victory.

IOWA CITY — Not only does Iowa tight end Nate Wieting have big shoes to fill he has several of them. The former walk-on will try to replace Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson. That duo combined for 88 catches and 13 touchdowns a year ago before leaving early to become first round NFL Draft picks. Wieting had two catches a year ago.

Wieting is anxious for his chance to shine while battling through a career that has included multiple surgeries.

Iowa opens the season on August 31st hosting Miami of Ohio.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — In a conference that is known for offense Iowa State has moved into contention in the Big 12 with defense. Linebackers Mike Rose and Marcel Spears return to anchor a Cyclone defense that coach Matt Campbell expects to make even more progress.

Campbell says the linebackers are part of what figures to be a solid front seven.

A key on offense will be replacing running back David Montgomery but an experienced offensive line will help.

Campbell says at one point the offensive line was a weakness on the team.

Campbell made his comments at Big 12 Media Day

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Natasha Howard scored a career-high 33 points, Sami Whitcomb made five of Seattle’s 12 3-pointers and the Storm closed the game on a 10-0 run to beat the Minnesota Lynx 90-79. Seattle led 78-66 with 6:25 left until Minnesota made 3-pointers on its next three possessions to pull within three.