Cubs Stun Reds With Late Rally
(Chicago, IL) — The Cubs put up four runs in the eighth inning as they stunned the Reds 8-7 in Chicago. Ben Zobrist laced a two-run double before Javier Baez tied the game on an infield single. Anthony Rizzo drove in the go-ahead run on a groundout. Randy Rosario was sharp out of the bullpen to get the win. The Cubs have won seven-of-eight. Eugenio Suarez clubbed a three-run homer in defeat for the Reds. Matt Harvey pitched into the sixth inning, but the bullpen gave up five runs to blow the lead. Jared Hughes took the loss for Cincy.
Cardinals Hold Off Giants
(San Francisco, CA) — Carlos Martinez tossed seven innings of one-run ball as the Cardinals edged the Giants 3-2 in San Francisco. Martinez also helped himself with an RBI double in the third and picked up the win. Dexter Fowler and Francisco Pena also drove in runs and Bud Norris notched his 17th save. The Cardinals have won four-of-six on the heels of a four-game slide. Giants’ starter Jeff Samardzija surrendered three runs across five frames dropping his record to 1-and-5. Brandon Belt drove in both runs as San Francisco lost for the fifth time in six games.
Astros Sink White Sox
(Houston, TX) — Yuli Gurriel homered and drove in four runs as the Astros sank the White Sox 12-6 in Houston. Alex Bregman also went deep and Max Stassi added two RBI for the ‘Stros. Charlie Morton pitched into the sixth and struck out eight to get the win. The Astros have won five in-a-row to improve to 60-and-31. Omar Narvaez plated a three-run double and Avisail Garcia crushed a solo shot in the losing effort. James Shields was charged with the loss after he allowed 10 hits and eight runs in just under six frames. The White Sox have dropped four straight.
World Cup Recap
(Sochi, Russia) — England is in the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990 following a 2-0 win over Sweden, getting goals on headers from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli to advance to a matchup with surprising Croatia.
Croatia needed a penalty shootout to reach its first semifinal since 1998, outlasting host Russia 4-3 on penalty kicks after the sides were tied 1-1 after regulation and 2-2 through extra time. Ivan Rakitic scored the winner as Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev dived in the opposite direction.