SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants had a full week to prepare for their rematch against Javier Assad, but the extra time didn’t translate into success on the field. In their previous encounter at Wrigley Field, Assad thwarted the Giants’ efforts with a last-minute appearance, and on Friday night, as the Cubs’ scheduled starter, he proved equally formidable.

Assad’s performance was not an anomaly. While the Giants managed only a single hit against him in their last meeting, this time around they were able to eke out three singles. Nevertheless, these hits were insufficient to alter the outcome as the Giants fell 5-1.

The team needed a stronger showing from Landen Roupp, who, despite an impressive start by striking out the first four batters, struggled with control. Roupp labored through 105 pitches and was unable to complete five innings, leaving the Giants in a difficult position.

The Giants mustered just one hit in 6 ⅓ innings against Assad last week. They got to him for three singles this time but nothing else in a 5-1 loss.

They needed more than that behind an erratic Landen Roupp, who struck out the first four batters of the game but exhausted 105 pitches and failed to complete five innings.

Roupp issued both his walks to begin the fourth and the fifth innings, and both came around to score. Seiya Suzuki’s double helped open a 2-0 lead in the fourth, and a two-bagger for Alex Bregman in the fifth gave the Cubs runners at second and third when Roupp’s day came to an end.

Manager Tony Vitello called on Erik Miller to get the platoon advantage against Michael Busch, who promptly swatted a hanging slider into McCovey Cove to make it 5-0.

The Giants’ lone run came off the bat of Bryce Eldridge, who was also responsible for two of their three hits against Assad. Moved up into the two-hole in a new-look lineup, Eldridge got the GIants on the board in the ninth with a one-out solo shot to right off Trent Thornton — his fourth of the season.

It amounted to a banner night for Eldridge but nobody else in the Giants’ lineup. The rookie finished 3-for-4 to raise his average to .316 and OPS to .959; his eight companions combined for one hit in 26 at-bats.

A walk to Matt Chapman was all else that interrupted 18 in a row retired by Assad after a leadoff single from Luis Arraez that extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

Assad had a 5.88 ERA when he was sent to Triple-A in May. In two outings against the Giants since being called back up, he has tossed 12 ⅓ scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 4.21.

What it means

The Giants’ difficulties against Assad extended to Jung Hoo Lee, whose hitting streak came to an end after 18 games.

With an 0-for-3 performance, Lee will have to settle for the second-longest hitting streak in the majors so far this season and the longest by a Giant since Angel Pagan went 19 games in 2016.

Who’s hot

Daniel Susac was on fire early with three successful, high-impact ABS challenges.

The simple act of knowing when to tap his catcher’s helmet resulted in an additional three strikeouts for Roupp, including two 3-2 pitches that also erased walks.

He turned a 2-2 curveball into strike three against Michael Busch to end the first, got a full-count cutter in the same low-and-away location against Ian Happ to begin the second and stole a strikeout of Carson Kelly in the third on a sinker that clipped the upper-outside corner of the strike zone.

It was a notable showing from the Giants, who have been among the majors’ least effective team in deploying their ABS challenges with the sixth-lowest success rate (49%).

Susac’s hot streak behind the dish only lasted so long, however. He overturned a fourth call into a strike against Seiya Suzuki in the fourth, only to be unable to corral a relay throw that beat the runner to the plate when Suzuki lined an RBI double later in the at-bat.

Who’s not

Willy Adames was back in the lineup after missing only his second game of the season with what manager Tony Vitello termed “hip-to-knee” discomfort.

The rare day off, however, wasn’t the solution to his woes at the plate.

Adames popped out to short, swung and missed at a slider low and outside the zone for strike three and grounded out to third to extend his hitless streak to 20 at-bats.

Up next

Another rematch — this time against Ben Brown (2-2, 1.74), the right-hander who limited them to one hit over 5 ⅓ shutout frames last week in Chicago before the Giants lost in extra innings.

San Francisco will counter with Trevor McDonald (2-3, 4.15), who threw five strong innings in the Giants’ 2-1 extra-inning win to close their series in Chicago.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The scene at the stadium was one familiar to American sports enthusiasts: a sea of fans adorned in team jerseys, faces painted in patriotic hues of red, white, and blue, cheering fervently as their heroes entered the arena.

However, this particular event wasn’t centered around America’s traditional pastimes. It was a soccer match.

On Friday, the U.S. Men’s National Team kicked off their World Cup campaign with a thrilling home opener, drawing a crowd of over 70,000 devoted soccer fans to the sprawling stadium near Los Angeles. The supporters were there to witness a commanding 4-1 victory against Paraguay, a testament to the sport’s burgeoning popularity in a country where it has often played second fiddle to other athletic pursuits. Many attendees shelled out substantial sums to experience the electrifying atmosphere of the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament, signaling a shift in the American sports landscape.

For many of these fans, soccer has been a lifelong passion. It’s a sport they were introduced to in childhood, playing in recreational leagues before continuing into high school and college. Nakisha Gutierrez, a 37-year-old occupational therapist from Los Angeles, embodies this enduring enthusiasm. Raised in a soccer-loving household by her Argentine father, she and her sister embraced the sport early on and are now passing down the tradition to younger family members.

“It’s in the family blood,” Gutierrez remarked, her face adorned with shimmering red and blue stars. “It is the American culture — it’s starting to be.”

The World Cup is played every four years, and fans around the world track their national teams, hoping they’ll have a strong enough showing to qualify for it. In many countries — like Friday’s opponent, Paraguay — just making it to the tournament can prompt street parties, fireworks and national holidays. In the United States, though, the response is often a bit more muted. Soccer has long been overshadowed by football, basketball and “America’s pastime” of baseball.

But soccer’s popularity has risen in the United States since the country last hosted the World Cup in 1994. Major League Soccer was launched two years later, and soccer has become especially popular among young athletes.

There was palpable joy in the air for U.S. fans watching the match as Folarin Balogun scored an electric two goals in the first half of the game, and star player Christian Pulisic made a shot that led to a Paraguay own goal. But the stadium was aroar when Gio Reyna sealed Paraguay’s fate with a late fourth goal during added time.

Samuel Esquivel, 9, said he was screaming when the match ended.

“That was probably, like, the second best goal,” he said of Reyna’s shot. He started playing soccer last year and said he already wants to win a World Cup.

His father Roman Esquivel said they came from a family that played football, basketball, and baseball. But Esquivel’s daughter and son both fell in love with soccer, and their enthusiasm for the game has spread to him as well.

“It’s the most beautiful sport in the world,” he said. “There’s a reason why the whole world plays soccer.”

Interest has also been buoyed by immigrants from countries where, as Gutierrez puts it, “soccer is life.”

Ava Cupit, 14, traveled with her family from Franklin, Tennessee, to cheer on the U.S. team, dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. Her great-grandfather was from Spain and helped bring soccer to their small town, where he built fields and promoted the sport.

“He made us all fall in love with it, and our whole family loves soccer,” Ava’s mother Rachel Cupit said. “The people who’ve married in, they’ve just become a part of it too.”

In the massive stadium in Inglewood, California, usually home to football games, seats were a sea of red and white. Fans wore glitter, Stars-and-Stripes high-tops, overalls, robes and the team’s hallmark jerseys. Some dressed as that ultimate symbol of American patriotism, Uncle Sam, with long white beards and top hats. A few wore George Washington costumes.

They came to show their support for their team, and to show that Americans, like the rest of the world, can be passionate about soccer, too. Many were trying to attend all of the U.S. team’s group round matches. One spectator said he came from Texas after seeing the U.S. team previously face off in international matches before large crowds backing their opponents.

Self-proclaimed soccer “addict” Jose Contreras said he grew up playing the sport with his uncle in Mexico because it was cheap and accessible. He flew from Georgia to support the U.S. in its opening match, even though there are games he could attend in Atlanta, closer to home.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” Contreras said.

___

AP World Cup coverage:

Melinda French Gates has shared a harrowing experience involving Jeffrey Epstein, describing the notorious financier as “evil” and acknowledging that her former husband Bill Gates’ connection with Epstein was a factor in their marriage’s unraveling.

During an open discussion with The Guardian, the prominent philanthropist spoke about the challenging divorce from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, her unsettling meeting with Epstein, and her commitment to leveraging her wealth to improve women’s healthcare.

At 61, French Gates became visibly emotional as she recounted her encounter with Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose connections with influential figures continue to stir controversy long after his death.

When asked what about Epstein affected her so profoundly during their meeting, French Gates found it difficult to hold back her emotions.

“My heart is racing,” she admitted, according to The Guardian, before posing a poignant question of her own.

‘Have you ever in your life been around somebody that you just know is evil?’

‘There you go. You just have your answer. We need to listen to our feelings about people.’

The reaction was so intense that French Gates briefly attempted to end the conversation before eventually continuing.

Melinda French Gates said meeting Jeffrey Epstein left her with such a powerful reaction that she immediately felt he was ‘evil’ and later suffered nightmares after the encounter

Melinda French Gates said Bill Gates’ continued relationship with Epstein despite her objections was among the factors that contributed to the end of their 27-year marriage

According to the interview, French Gates objected to Bill Gates maintaining contact with Epstein after she met the disgraced financier and found him deeply disturbing

Recalling the experience, she later added: ‘Yes. Any woman who has ever been around somebody who is evil or had an experience and then if you’re around somebody else who is evil. Just no, no.’

When the interviewer asked if she was reliving her original reaction to Epstein, she replied simply: ‘Visceral reaction, yes.’

French Gates has spoken previously about her discomfort with Epstein and has publicly acknowledged that her former husband’s continued contact with the financier was among the factors that led to the breakdown of their 27-year marriage.

The issue resurfaced earlier this year after newly released Justice Department documents brought renewed scrutiny to Epstein’s connections with wealthy and influential figures.

In January, a tranche of Epstein-related emails became public, including messages allegedly drafted by Epstein concerning Bill Gates. Gates has denied the claims contained within them and has previously insisted he did ‘nothing illicit.’

French Gates, however, left little doubt about her feelings toward Epstein.

‘Well, I had not been silent. I had been asked before what I thought of Epstein, and I had spoken my truth about what I had experienced,’ she told The Guardian.

‘He was an abhorrent human being, a horrid man, and so in these situations – this is a hard topic for me, you need to know that – my heart goes out to the young girls.’

She added: ‘I just spoke the truth, which is they deserve some peace, and they deserve some justice.’

Bill and Melinda Gates spent decades building one of the world’s largest charitable foundations

Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates first met in 1987 at Microsoft. Melinda joined Microsoft that year as a product manager after graduating from Duke University. They married in 1994

Melinda Gates is seen alongside her children Jennifer Gates, Rory Gates and Phoebe Gates, pictured in 2021

French Gates also delivered a blistering assessment of the institutions that allowed Epstein’s crimes to continue for years.

‘The justice system didn’t do its job. It did not do its job. Full stop,’ she said. 

‘This could have been stopped.’

She continued: ‘I think that’s why, finally, we are having a reckoning in society. If we don’t want children to be harmed, the justice system has to work.’

While Epstein and the divorce remain among the most painful chapters of her recent life, French Gates said she has entered what she describes as a ‘beautiful’ new phase.

Five years after her highly publicized split from Bill Gates, she has stepped away from the Gates Foundation, become a grandmother and is focusing her attention on Pivotal, the organization she founded to advance women and families.

The billionaire says she now spends her free time taking walks around Seattle, visiting independent bookstores and enjoying time with her growing family.

But she has no intention of slowing down.

This month, French Gates is committing $215 million in new funding toward women’s healthcare initiatives, targeting reproductive health, maternal care and menopause support.

Bill Gates has called associating with Epstein a ‘huge mistake,’ but claims that he ‘did nothing wrong’ and ‘saw nothing illegal’. he is pictured on Capitol Hill earlier this week

Bill Gates’ relationship with Epstein was thrust back into the spotlight last year when the DOJ released a tranche of documents containing emails and photos of the two

French Gates said she met Epstein once and found him so unsettling that she later suffered nightmares about the encounter

The investment is the latest chapter in a philanthropic career that has already seen billions directed toward women’s empowerment and global health programs.

‘I’ve always believed if you don’t start with good health, it’s pretty hard to live up to whatever it is you want to do in your life,’ she told The Guardian.

French Gates argued that women’s health has been neglected for generations, noting that only a tiny fraction of global medical research funding is directed toward issues primarily affecting women.

‘We have under-prioritised women for so long,’ she said.

Particular attention will be focused on menopause and perimenopause, which she says remain poorly understood despite affecting millions of women.

‘It’s like this time in a woman’s life is literally invisible to the world,’ she said.

French Gates also took aim at the rollback of abortion rights in America following the overturning of Roe v Wade.

‘My granddaughters are growing up with fewer rights than I had,’ she said. 

‘I don’t think women’s health should be a political issue. I think women should decide if and when to have a child, and those decisions are best made in the privacy of our lives, not by our government.’

Five years after her divorce from Bill Gates, French Gates says she has entered a new phase of life that she describes as ‘beautiful’

The 61-year-old has stepped away from the Gates Foundation and now devotes her full attention to Pivotal, the organization she founded to advance women and families

The comments come as French Gates continues to deploy a fortune estimated in the tens of billions of dollars.

Yet despite her immense wealth, she acknowledged the discomfort she feels about such enormous fortunes being concentrated in the hands of a small number of people.

‘I think we need more equity in society,’ she said. ‘We have to do something to create more equity.’

For now, however, French Gates appears determined to focus less on her past and more on the causes she believes can shape the future.

Jason Derulo is currently under fire from an animal rights organization after unveiling a $1 million aquarium filled with sharks and stingrays in his residence.

The “Whatcha Say” artist, now 36, gave a glimpse into his $15 million mansion in Tarzana, California, during a YouTube tour with N3on back in April. The tour highlighted a specially-designed aquarium embedded beneath the floor of his living room.

This circular aquatic feature, topped with glass, allows visitors to stroll over the creatures swimming below.

While exploring the home, Derulo mentioned that the creation of the tank demanded significant investment of both time and finances.

“I got a pool expert to construct the shell, and then aquarium specialists assembled the rest,” he explained.

“Then I had a different floor that didn’t show the sharks well enough, so I decided to go for white [background].”

The singer also said an aquarium team visits his home every two days to monitor the water and clean the tank.

However, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) accused DeRulo of setting a “bad example” after clips from the tour spread on TikTok.

“Sharks are facing severe pressures — threatened by overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction, with many species now considered endangered,” Christian Plowman, Program Manager, Wildlife Cybercrime at IFAW, said in a statement reported by The Mirror.

“They play a critical role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. The recent seizure of more than 700 trafficked marine animals in Argentina is a stark reminder that the illegal ‘exotic’ pet trade extends far beyond the species most people think of.

“Sharks, rays and other marine animals are increasingly being targeted to satisfy demand for home aquariums and luxury displays.”

Plowman also criticized celebrity displays of exotic animals.

“For some, these animals have become the ultimate status symbol,” he said. “Singer Jason Derulo recently showcased a home shark tank. When celebrities and influencers with millions of followers treat wild animals as interior design features, the consequences reach far beyond their living rooms.

“Normalizing the ownership of sharks in a domestic tank sends a damaging message to audiences around the world. If Derulo genuinely cares about these animals, he could use his platform as a powerful force for good.”

He added that the singer could instead help educate the public and “challenge misconceptions” about marine wildlife.

“Help turn the tide on a trade that is pushing some of the world’s most remarkable marine species closer to extinction,” Plowman said. “Right now, he is setting a bad example.”

In a message directed at the public, he added: “IFAW urges the public not to like, share or engage with content that normalizes the keeping of wild animals as pets. Every interaction feeds the algorithm — and ultimately, the trade.

“Sharks and other wild animals are not accessories. They are not floor displays. They are not pets.”

Social media users also blasted Derulo with one writing, “That’s cruel,” while another commented, “Yeah, being rich is depressing.”

Keeping some smaller, non-endangered shark species in home aquariums is legal in California, though animal welfare groups have long opposed the practice.

Derulo’s fascination with sharks isn’t new.

In 2023, he spent roughly $30,000 on a shark-themed 2nd birthday party for his son Jason King, complete with a “Baby Shark” cake and sparklers.

As the midterm elections loom, tensions among Republicans on Capitol Hill are running high. Many are frustrated with Donald Trump’s apparent lack of focus on the economy, warning that this oversight could jeopardize the already slim GOP majority in Congress.

Recent polls reflect a growing discontent among voters towards Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. This sentiment is particularly concerning as the November elections approach, a pivotal moment that could shape the President’s legislative agenda moving forward.

Beyond the economic concerns, senior aides have pointed out other strategic missteps. These include the controversial nomination of Bill Pulte, a staunch ally of Trump, to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the administration’s concentrated efforts on the anti-weaponization fund.

The latest Economist/YouGov survey paints a stark picture: 63 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s economic management, and nearly 60 percent believe the economy is worsening. These figures underscore the growing economic anxiety among the electorate.

Adding to these woes, the ongoing conflict with Iran has driven up oil prices, affecting the cost of everyday goods. This, coupled with a reported 4.2 percent inflation rate—marking a three-year high—has fueled public concern over economic stability.

‘I love the inflation,’ Trump flippantly said in the Oval Office this week when pressed on whether he’s concerned about Americans facing higher costs. 

Behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, Trump’s disregard for the turbulent economy – and focus on niche personal issues – has infuriated some working to sell his MAGA agenda. 

‘People are pissed the f*** off that prices are too high and things are too expensive,’ a senior GOP Senate aide told the Daily Mail. 

‘It doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of focus on affordability going into the midterms when that’s the number one issue that people care about – how can they afford gas, groceries and healthcare.’ 

Donald Trump, shown seated between a group of congressional Republicans this week, has expressed frustration with his allies in Congress for not working harder on his pet projects, like his anti-weaponization fund

Meanwhile, lawmakers are concerned the President’s focus on niche issues, such as his ballroom construction project, could cost them in the midterms

‘People are pissed the f*** off that prices are too high and things are too expensive,’ a senior GOP Senate aide told the Daily Mail. ‘I’m just not sure the President really cares, or if he’s really in tune with what’s going on on Capitol Hill’

The aide continued: ‘I’m just not sure the President really cares, or if he’s really in tune with what’s going on on Capitol Hill.’ 

Trump’s controversial selection of Pulte came the same week Republicans and Democrats on the Hill were locked in tough negotiations over the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).  

‘Why would he announce a controversial figure for acting DNI when you know we’re trying to push FISA over the finish line?’ the senior aide questioned. 

While Trump has focused on setting up an Ultimate Fighting Championship match at the White House on his birthday, securing funding for his White House ballroom and an ‘anti-weaponization’ fund for his allies, incumbents feel left in the lurch. 

‘Between the Pulte nominations and anti-weaponization fund, the White House has definitely gone rogue and instead pushed priorities without talking to Congressional leadership, particularly Leader [John] Thune,’ a second senior GOP aide told the Daily Mail.

‘We’re begging the White House to focus on issues to help Republicans in the midterms, but it feels like it’s falling on deaf ears.’ 

Trump is also reportedly irate with ‘everyone, from his own team to the Senate,’ according to Politico. 

Trump’s short-lived nomination of his ally Bill Pulte, shown above, to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence frustrated many of his Republican allies on Capitol Hill 

Fuel prices are seen at a gas station in Decatur, Georgia, with a sticker blaming President Donald Trump for high fuel prices, seen Saturday, June 6, 2026

Trump’s war with Iran has also forced oil prices to rise, causing pain at the pumps for Republican voters

He is frustrated that Republicans in Congress have opposed his weaponization fund, his ballroom funding and his calls to fire the Senate Parliamentarian. 

The frustration is mutual and runs in both directions.

‘The President’s fiery public demands of Congress often seem disconnected from his staff’s more deferential posture when dealing with GOP leadership and moderates, resulting in some wild swings in who gets thrown under the bus week by week,’ a third senior GOP congressional aide shared.

The odds for Republicans to hold onto control in the Senate are nearly a toss-up. 

According to prediction market Kalshi, Republicans have a 55 percent chance of holding onto their Senate majority. Democrats need to flip four seats to win control. 

The picture is even bleaker for Republicans in the House of Representatives.

Democrats are the heavy favorite to gain control over the House in the midterms, according to Kalshi, which gives them an 80 percent chance of having a majority.  

‘Speaker Johnson has relied so heavily on Trump to lead the conference and clean up his messes that it’s no wonder Trump has taken more of an active role in dictating what he wants to see from Congress,’ a senior GOP House aide shared. 

‘Is it good for the institution? Not really, but Speaker Johnson is the one to blame for weakening the speakership.’ 

Trump has also attacked some incumbent GOP Senators he deemed as not loyal enough, resulting in their ousters. 

This has rocked the caucus and has now given some sitting Senators reason to buck Trump’s agenda. 

‘If our coalition falls apart, we will not be able to advance the President’s priorities,’ a fourth Senate GOP aide shared.