JLB ELECTRIC WEDNESDAY EYE-OPENER

The Stanley Cup final begins tonight as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 at Amalie Arena. Both teams needed seven games to advance to the Cup final. Tampa Bay edged the New York Rangers while the Blackhawks topped the Anaheim Ducks.

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Kevin Pillar hit a pair of homers, including a go-ahead, three-run blast in the sixth inning as the Jays downed Washington 7-3 in Game 2 of a double header. Marco Estrada gave up two earned runs in six innings to get the victory and help Toronto end a four-game skid. The Nats took the first game 2-nothing.

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Around the AL East, Boston edged out a 1-nothing win over Minnesota, Tampa Bay toppled the L-A Angels 6-1, Baltimore fell to Houston 6-4 and the New York Yankees needed 11 innings to beat Seattle 5-3.

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FIFA president Sepp Blatter has stepped down as head of soccer’s governing body. The action comes just days after he was elected to another term amid a widening corruption scandal. He has promised to call for fresh elections to choose a successor. Elections are expected to take place sometime between December and March.

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The New York Cosmos defeated Cuba’s national team 4-1 in a friendly that was the first visit to the island by a U-S professional team since the two countries began their detente effort in December. After the final whistle, Cosmos players saluted the audience, which responded with applause and cheers.

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American Pharoah has arrived in New York to begin final preparations for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner will be trying to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Affirmed was the last of the eleven previous Triple Crown winners.