Happy Fourth of July! … Right-handed reliever Tyson Messer (Harnett Central, Campbell), a ninth-round draft choice in June by the Chicago White Sox, has made five appearances for the White Sox team in the Arizona rookie league. … The New York Yankees split a 2-game series hosted by the New York Mets with a 5-1 win on Wednesday night. The Yankees lead the American League East by 6.5 gams. … The Netherlands topped Sweden 1-0 in a women’s World Cup soccer semifinal on Wednesday. The United States and the Netherlands will play Sunday at 11 a.m. for the championship.