Bells News

The Bells and the North Division beat the South 5-3 last night at Joe Martin Field to win their second straight West Coast League All-Star Game.

The North struck early with a massive 4-run third inning and never trailed. The South closed in with a 3-run fifth inning, but couldn’t garner more runs from there and an insurance run in the seventh sealed it for the North.

Bells pitcher Devyn Hernandez threw one perfect inning in the start and catcher Andrew Lamb got the only hit of their four All-Star batters in front of a crowd of over 3,300 fans. Reliever Preston Watkins threw a shutout eighth inning to earn the win and keep the North Division undefeated during the past two All-Star games in Bellingham.

The Bells have the day off today before kicking off their three-game weekend series against the Victoria HarbourCats tomorrow night at Joe Martin Field.

Mariners News

Cal Raleigh is putting baseball’s best nickname to good use. The “Big Dumper” revealed on social media yesterday that he’s partnered with porta potty company Honey Bucket.

Raleigh’s endorsement will include “appearances, exclusive content and promotional campaigns” featuring the All-Star catcher himself. Cal and the Mariners return to action tomorrow night in the first of a three-game series at home against the first-place Houston Astros.

Meanwhile, a former Mariner is heading to a division rival. The New York Post reports the Texas Rangers are selecting the contract of veteran Rowdy Tellez from the minors.

Tellez played 62 games at first base with the M’s earlier this season, but was released in June after posting disappointing numbers. He could face his former team in a matter of weeks, as the Rangers are coming to T-Mobile for a four-game series starting on July 31.

Sounders News

The Sounders played the Colorado Rapids to a 3-3 draw last night. Darren Yapi subbed in and scored the equalizer in the 75th minute and the Colorado Rapids rallied for a tie after the Sounders blew a three-goal lead. 

Albert Rusnák had a goal and an assist to lead Seattle to a 2-0 lead at halftime.  He scored again two minutes into the second half for a 3-0 advantage before the Sounders let the Rapids get back into it with two penalty-kick goals three minutes apart.

Seattle is now 6-1-4 at home and 2-0-2 in its last four matches overall.

NBA News

An NBA star is returning back to his home in the Pacific Northwest. ESPN reports 9x All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a deal to reunite with the Portland Trail Blazers. The three-year, $42 million contract includes a no-trade clause.

It comes after the Milwaukee Bucks waived Lillard earlier this month to make room for a new center.

Lillard’s coming off an All-Star season where he averaged 25 points per game, but tore his Achilles in the playoffs. He’s not expected to play this upcoming season while he recovers.

The 35-year-old point guard has spent 11 of his 13 seasons in Portland.

NFL News

T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed on a new contract that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. ESPN reports Watt agreed to a three-year, $123 million extension this afternoon, ending a contentious, months-long contract negotiation.

Watt leads the NFL with 73.5 sacks in the past five seasons. The four-time All-Pro edge rusher was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and has spent his entire eight-year career with the Steelers.