WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Final all set: US vs Japan
VANCOUVER (AP) β The Women’s World Cup final this Sunday in Vancouver features a rematch of the final from four years ago. Back in 2011 the U.S. was beaten in the finale by the team from Japan on penalty kicks after the game ended 2-2. The U.S. is 24-1-6 against Japan.
The Japanese advanced with a 2-1 win over England Wednesday night while the Americans qualified for the championship match with a 2-0 over Germany in the semifinals.
WIMBLEDON
Day 4
LONDON (AP) β Following the hottest day in Wimbledon history, the start of play today was held up at most of the courts for 45 minutes by rain. Organizers say more showers could come throughout the day. Play at Centre Court got underway on time because of its retractable roof.
The schedule calls for the two second-seeds to see action with Roger Federer facing American Sam Querrey (KWEER’-ee) and Petra Kvitova (kuh-VIHT’-oh-vuh), the defending champ, going up against Kurumi Nara of Japan.
Men’s third seed Andy Murray has won his second round match, in straight sets. Coming up, Rafael Nadal (rah-fay-ehl nah-DAHL’) is back in action.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Indians pitching tops the afternoon schedule while Scherzer leads the evening card
UNDATED (AP) β A year ago Corey Kluber (KLOO’-bur) of the Indians won the American League Cy Young Award. This year, he’s having a hard time keeping up with his pitching teammates as the Indians of late have been getting just outstanding starting pitching. Last night Carlos Carrasco was the third straight Cleveland starter to have a perfect game going into the sixth inning. He had to settle for a one-hitter, but the bottom line is the Tribe has won its last three games to move within 4 Β½ games of the final Wild Card berth. This afternoon, Kluber is going for this third win against a Rays team that has lost 8 of its last 10 games.
In other afternoon action the Marlins are hosting the Giants, Pittsburgh is at Detroit and the Mets are home to the Cubs.
This evening, the top two clubs in the American League Central, the Royals and Twins, open up a four-game series in Kansas City. The first-place Royals top the Twins by 4 Β½ games.
Max Scherzer is back on the mound tonight as the Nationals face the Braves in Atlanta. He has been pitching lights-out of late, taking a perfect game into at least the sixth inning in his last three starts, including a no-hitter against Pittsburgh. On the year, Scherzer is 9-5 with a 1.79 earned run average.
The rest of the schedule has Milwaukee playing in Philadelphia, the Orioles home to the Rangers, San Diego at Texas, Toronto home to Boston, the Rockies at Arizona and Oakland home to Seattle.
NBA-KNICKS
Report: New York lands guard
NEW YORK (AP) β The New York Knicks are about to reunite Arron Afflalo (uh-FLAH’-loh) with Carmelo Anthony. The two played together with the Nuggets and a person with knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Afflalo has accepted a two-year, $16 million offer from the New Yorkers. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no NBA deals can be completed before July 9.
A shooting guard, Afflalo spent parts of two seasons as Anthony’s teammate in Denver. Afflalo also has played with Detroit, Orlando and Portland, averaging 11.4 points per game in his first eight NBA seasons.
PGA-GREENBRIER CLASSIC
Woods returns
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) β Tiger Woods is making his seventh start of the season today in the opening round of the PGA’s Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia. In 16 rounds this season, he has shot 80 or higher three times and broken 70 only twice. He missed the cut in the U.S. Open two weeks ago.
Bubba Watson, a two-time winner this season and the champion of last week’s Travelers Championship, heads the field.
Last year Angel Cabrera (AHN’-hehl kuh-BREHR’-uh) closed with consecutive 64’s for a two-stroke win in the event.
