The semi-finals get underway in Euro 2012 this afternoon when Spain and Portugal square off in the Battle for Iberia (sorry, Andorra).

The Spanish, as you may be aware, won the World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2008. They haven’t lost a knockout game in a major tournament since a 3-1 loss to France in the 2006 World Cup. The Portuguese are playing arguably their best soccer since the 2004 European Cup Championship (they lost the final to Greece). The two played most recently in November 2010 in Lisbon. On that day, Portugal handed Spain their worst loss in over 45 years. That was a friendly. This will be anything but.

–Behind what some are calling a “virtuoso performance” by Ryan Vogelsong, the San Francisco Giants moved to within a game of the Dodgers last night in the NL West. The loss was LA’s 8^th in its last 10 games and it appears the team is finally coming back to Earth after exceeding expectations through the first 2 ½ months of the season. LA will have a good chance to win today in the series finale, as the Giants will send Tim Lincecum to the mound. Imagine reading that sentence a year ago…

-Perhaps it’s not the “Tumble Heard Round The World” but it’s close. Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has struggled mightily in his role since moving from whatever it was that his role was before being moved to closer. Last night, though, Chapman pitched well to pick up the save. Following a strikeout of Brewers human Martin Maldonado, Chapman celebrated by doing two tumbles towards home plate. After the game, Reds stars Joey Votto and Jay Bruce took Chapman aside to explain to him that he is an idiot and they’d prefer not to get hit by an angry Brewers pitcher in today’s game. So maybe all will be right with the world.

-The hashtag #umpshow has caught on this season on social networking site Twitter. #umpshow is used to describe the situation of an umpire taking over a game and becoming the story. Last night’s Yankees/Indians game became an #umpshow. Yankees outfielder Dewayne Wise lept into the stands to make a catch of a foul ball. That ball bounced off of his glove, rolled, and landed about 10 feet to Wise’s left. In fact, it was picked up by a fan in the stands, who held the ball in the air. Not to fear though, third-base umpire Mike DiMuro didn’t need to see any of that. He ruled that Wise made the catch without asking to see the ball. #umpshow

-Rangers starter Yu Darvish shook off a slow start to last night’s game against the Detroit Tigers to pitch 7 strong innings. Darvish struck out 10 Tigers. The Rangers offense was powered by Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton, who each hit home runs. Hamilton’s was his 24^th of the season.

-The Boston Red Sox are 2 games out of a Wild Card slot. Just store that one in your memory bank.

A day after an incredibly frustrating offensive performance, the Nationals went out and broke a number of franchise hitting records, because that makes sense.

The Nats beat the Rockies 12-5. They added 21 hits. Every starter had at least one hit. Gio Gonzalez had an RBI. And hitting coach Rick Eckstein didn’t get fired.

The Nationals now sport the best record in the National League, which is kind of remarkable for a team that is 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Game 3 of this 4 game series with the Rockies will be played tonight. Jordan Zimmermann will take the hill for Washington. Colorado called up AA prospect Edwar Cabrera to make this start. Game time is 8:40 p.m. Cabrera might be back in AA by 9:30.

Spain v. Portugal (2:45/ESPN)

Baseball game of the day: Angels @ Orioles. Jered Weaver faces Jason Hammel. Weaver is 7-1 with a 2.40 ERA. Hammel is 8-2 with a 2.61 ERA. Game time is 7:05.