I’m Jeanne Burns. This sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health. When gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

Fourth of July was a good holiday for the LSU football program. The Tigers received two verbal commitments for the Class of 2026, including one from one of the top safeties in the state.

Haynesville’s Isaiah Washington is a four-star safety, who has helped the Golden Tornado reach the state championship game in back-to-back seasons as a quarterback and a defensive back. Washington’s stock rose after winning the 110-meter hurdles and the trip jump at the state track championship in May.

LSU also received a commitment from Mississippi offensive tackle Bryson Cooley. He’s a four-star prospect out of West Johnson High School in Laurel, Mississippi. Cooley also had an offer from Ole Miss and he’s the second offensive lineman from Mississippi in the Class of 2026. Emanuel Tucker is the other one.

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The Houston Astros handed the Dodgers their worst loss ever in Los Angeles as the Astros defeated the defending World Series champs 18 to 1. Jose Altuve hit two home runs and Victor Caratini hit a grand slam for Houston, who has a seven-game lead over Seattle for first place in the A-L West.

There were also fireworks at Wrigley Field yesterday as the Chicago Cubs hit a franchise-record eight home runs in a single game to defeat the struggling St. Louis Cardinals 11 to 3. Michael Busch blasted three home runs and Pete Crow Armstrong hit two home runs for the Cubs, who lead the N-L Central by four games over Milwaukee.

The pitchers and reserves for the All-Star team will be announced tomorrow. Former LSU star Paul Skenes should make the team for a second straight year despite a losing record. Skenes is 4-and-7 with a 2.03 ERA and has 115 strikeouts in 111 innings.