Pirates xxxx Marlins

     The Pittsburgh Pirates xxxxx the Miami Marlins on Saturday at PNC Park. Both teams will complete their three-game series on Sunday. 

     Pittsburgh(35-35)

     Miami(35-35)

Zach Pop Back With Marlins

     Zach Pop has reunited with the Miami Marlins organization. He has signed a minor league contract and will report to their Triple-A affiliate in Jacksonville. 

     Pop was with the Marlins for two seasons in 2021 and 2022. He ended up with a 3-0 record and a 3.98 earned run average in 68 relief appearance for Miami. 

United States Mows Down Paraguay

     The United States opened up the 2026 World Cup with a 4-1 dominant win over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday night. It was the most goals scored in a World Cup game by the United States. It was also the largest margin of victory for the U.S. since they accomplished it during the first World Cup in 1930. 

     It marked the 11th overall World Cup appearance by the U.S. in World Cup competition. The United States has reached the knockoff phase every time when they do not lose their first World Cup game in the tournament.

     It turned out to be the first contest for the United States in Group D. They will later face Australia on June 19 in Seattle and Turkey in Los Angeles on June 25 in group play during the next two weeks. 

     Los Angeles held the 1994 World Cup Final game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena when the United States was the host nation. The FIFA does not allow a company naming rights on World Cup stadiums, such as SoFi Stadium. 

     In the first half, the United States jumped out to a 1-0 advantage just seven minutes into the game. Christian Pulisic dribbled down the left side of the penalty area through two defenders and passed the ball ahead. Weston McKinnie made a square pass to his right and Damian Bobadilla accidentally kicked the ball into his own cage for an own goal. 

    The United States expanded their lead to 2-0 in the 31st minute of play. Malik Tillman centered the ball from the left side. Folarin Balogun then one-timed a right-footed shot from 13 yards away.  

     The U.S. increased it to 3-0 during stoppage time at the end of the first half. Balogun brought the ball to the middle of the penalty area and lifted a 12-yard shot with his left foot into the top left corner of the net. 

     In the second half, Paraguay broke the shutout in the 73rd minute and they were down 3-1. Mauricio was able to get the tally with left-footed shot from 12 yards out. 

     The United States capped the game with a goal in stoppage time to conclude the second half. Giovanni Reyna dribbled forward several yards and zipped a 17-yard shot from the top of the penalty area with his outer-right foot into the left side of the cage 

Marlins Storm By Pirates

     The Miami Marlins hurdled the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-3 at PNC Park on Friday night. The Marlins started a six-game road trip. 

     Pittsburgh(35-35) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Jared Triolo singled through the left side for Endy Rodriguez to score. 

     Miami(35-35) climbed ahead 2-1 in the top of the fifth with two runs. Otto Lopez grounded out to short and Javier Sanoja reached home. Kyle Stowers followed with a base hit into right field and Liam Hicks scored.

     The Bucs answered back to tie it up 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth. Rodriguez powered a solo home run to right-center field on a 0-1 pitch for his second homer of the year. 

     The Marlins reclaimed the lead 6-2 in the seventh inning as they added four more runs. Edwards drove in Hicks with a sacrifice fly to center field. Heriberto Hernandez came up next and knocked in Edwards on a single into left field. Owen Caissie then doubled off the center-field fence which scored Stowers and Hernandez. 

     The Fish got two runs in the top of the eighth and made it 8-2. Hicks blasted a two-run homer off the  right-field foul pole on a 0-2 count for his 13th home run of the season. 

     The Pirates cut it to 8-3 during the bottom of the eighth. Brandon Lowe smacked a solo home run that bounced off the top of the right-center field wall on a 1-0 pitch for his 17th homer of the 2026 campaign. 

Daryl Porter Jr. Returns To Steelers

     One-time Broward County high school defensive back Daryl Porter Jr. has signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Buffalo Bills released him back on June 1. Porter showed up for one game with the Steelers in 2025. 

     Porter played for the American Heritage Patriots in high school football. He captured two FHSAA state championships in 2016 and 2017.

Derek Hill Dealt To Phillies

     The Chicago White Sox have traded outfielder Derek Hill to the Philadelphia Phillies for two minor league prospects. The Phillies will be the seventh team he has played for since he entered Major League Baseball in 2020. 

     Hill was with the Miami Marlins for two seasons in 2024 and 2025. He compiled seven home runs, 28 runs batted in and a .222 batting average in 85 games with the Fish. 

Raynel Delgado Moved Up By Astros

     Former Broward County high school baseball player Raynel Delgado has been called up to the majors by the Houston Astros. He is expected to make his Major League Baseball debut this weekend. Delgado was dealt by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Astros on Wednesday.

     He participated in high school baseball with the Calvary Christian Academy Eagles. Delgado has played 61 contests with the Rays Triple-A affiliate the Durham Bulls this season.