World Cup News

The odds-on favorite to win the World Cup has been eliminated.

Spain beat France 2-0 this afternoon in Arlington, Texas to move on to the finals. It ended France’s hopes of advancing to the World Cup final for a third consecutive tournament, which has only been done twice.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored on a penalty in the 22nd minute and Pedro Porro added an insurance goal early in the second half to lead the win.

Spain will now play in their second-ever World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Their only other appearance came in 2010, when they beat Netherlands in South Africa.

We’ll learn their opponent tomorrow, when the defending World Cup champion Argentina play England at noon in Atlanta.

MLB All-Star Week News

The Midsummer Classic is coming into full swing in Philadelphia.

The National League is looking to repeat in the MLB All-Star Game against the American League.

The NL won 7-6 last year on a tiebreaker in the newly-introduced “swing-off.” In what’s been called baseball’s version of soccer’s penalty-kicks shootout, games that are tied after the ninth inning are now decided by having three batters from each league take three swings.

We’ll only see one Mariner in this year’s game, with Randy Arozarena having been selected as Seattle’s sole representative.

Toronto’s Dylan Cease is making the start for the AL, while Philly’s Cristopher Sanchez is starting for the NL. Coverage begins at 4:00 and first pitch is at 5 on KPUG.

Tonight’s All-Star Game comes after a dramatic end to the Home Run Derby last night.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker hit six straight home runs to stun hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber in the final round. He hit 12 homers to Schwarber’s 11, becoming the first player in Cardinals history to win the derby.

Walker also took home the one-million-dollar prize, which eclipsed his salary for the entire season.

Bells News

The Bells are back in play tonight.

They’re hosting the Cascade Collegiate League Showcase Team in the first of a three-day stretch of non-league games.

The Bells only have 12 more guaranteed games left at Joe Martin Field this summer as they make a late-season push for the playoffs.

First pitch is at 6:35 and tonight’s game features half-off tickets.