Sports – Saturday, August 13th, 2016

The Packers opened the preseason with a 17-11 win over the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau FIeld Friday night. A number of Packers starters were held out of the game, including Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, among others. Rookie Joe Callahan got the start at quarterback for Green Bay, playing the entire first half and leading a drive just before halftime that finished with a touchdown pass to running back John Crockett. Callahan threw for 124 yards and the touchdown with no interceptions. Mason Crosby added two 54 yard field goals on the night. Three safeties were recorded in the game, two by the Packers and one by Cleveland. The Packers play game two of the preseason on Thursday against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field, pregame at 5pm, kickoff at 7 on News/Talk 1450 KFIZ.

In other NFL preseason action featuring NFC North teams, the Lions beat the Steelers 30-17 and Minnesota edged CIncinnati 17-16. Former Badgers wide receiver Alex Erickson caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt 80 yards for a score for the Bengals. Another former Badger, quarterback Joel Stave threw for 73 yards in backup action for the Vikings.

The Cincinnati Reds belted 12 hits and held off a late Brewers rally in a 7-4 win at Miller Park Friday night. The Reds led the game 7-0 before a solo home run by Ramon Flores in the eighth and a three run homer by Manny Pina in the ninth pulled the Brewers within 7-4. Jimmy Nelson took the loss, he falls to 6-12 on the year. Homer Bailey struck out 11 batters in earning the win for Cincinnati. Game two is tonight, a 5:35 pregame time, 6:10 first pitch on News/Talk 1450 KFIZ.

Elsewhere in the NL Central:

Chicago Cubs 13, St. Louis 2

Pittsburgh 5, LA Dodgers 1

Wesley Bryan was the clubhouse leader when the second round of the PGA’s John Deere Classic was suspended by darkness. Bryan followed Thursday’s 66 with a 7-under 64 that gives him a one-stroke edge over Steve Marino. Tom Gillis is two strokes back at 10 under. Three time champion Steve Stricker is at a one-under 70, while Mequon’s Jordan Niebrugge is at a plus-three 74.