Sports
Cristopher Sanchez twirls CG shutout, fans 13 as Phils blank Pirates
May 16, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (right) greets first baseman Bryce Harper (3) crossing home plate on a three run first inning home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Cristopher Sanchez struck out a career-high 13 in his second career shutout to guide the visiting Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.
Bryce Harper hit a mammoth three-run homer for Philadelphia, which evened its record at 23-23 with its 14th win in 18 games since Don Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson as interim manager late last month. Mattingly missed Saturday’s game to attend his son’s college graduation, so bench coach Dusty Wathan guided the team in his place.
Trea Turner went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Harper reached base three times, adding a pair of walks to his three-run blast.
Marcell Ozuna went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts for Pittsburgh, which managed only six hits and drew no walks against Sanchez (5-2). Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-5) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and four walks in three innings.
Philadelphia got started early against Chandler, beginning with Trea Turner’s leadoff single. Kyle Schwarber followed with a walk before Harper sent a 3-1 fastball over the center-field wall for his 11th homer of the season.
The visitors added two more runs in the second, thanks to a rally that began with a pair of walks. With two outs and two on, Schwarber’s double to right — combined with a throwing error by right fielder Jared Triolo — plated a pair of runs.
Meanwhile, Sanchez was cruising. He retired the first 11 batters he faced until Bryan Reynolds doubled with two outs in the fourth. However, Sanchez quickly bounced back to strike out Ozuna to end the inning.
In the fifth, Sanchez yielded a one-out single to Nick Gonzales before inducing a double-play grounder to end any potential threat.
The left-hander then set down the Pirates in order in the sixth, striking out O’Neil Cruz for the final out. He gave up a leadoff double to Konnor Griffin in the seventh, but slammed the door thereafter.
That set the stage for Philadelphia to tack on an insurance run in the eighth. Justin Crawford walked with two outs against Justin Lawrence before Turner followed with an RBI double to make it 6-0.
Sanchez struck out two more in the eighth before surpassing his career high in punch-outs with a strikeout of Ozuna in the ninth. His 108th and final pitch of the day resulted in Nick Yorke’s game-ending grounder.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: FIFA, Iran hold talks ahead of World Cup
Mar 20, 2025; Marina Del Rey, California, USA; Mattias Grafstrom at the The Global Center of Gravity for Soccer is in North America pannel at Marina Del Rey Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Bailey Holiver-Imagn Images FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom described his Saturday meeting with the head of Iran’s Football Federation (FFIRI) as “constructive” as concerns about the nation’s participation in next month’s World Cup have not abated.
Grafstrom met with FFIRI President Mehdi Taj in Istanbul and told Reuters he was confident about Iran competing in the United States, despite hostilities between the two countries extending into their third month.
“We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” Grafstrom said during a visit to Istanbul. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”
Iran is slated to play all three of their group matches in the United States, beginning with a contest vs. New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are also scheduled to take on Belgium in Los Angeles and conclude Group G play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran asked that their games be moved to Mexico, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino denied that request.
Taj has served as president of Iran’s governing body since 2022, but he had previously served in Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The 66-year-old was not allowed to enter the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada earlier this month due to his IRGC ties.
Canada and the United States, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, have classified the IRGC as a “terrorist entity” and have stated that they will not permit people with ties to that group in their respective nations.
Grafstrom would not specifically address entry and visa arrangements for Iranian players. The discussion with Taj primarily involved operational issues.
“We’ve discussed all relevant matters, but I think it’s not the place to discuss the details,” he said. “Overall, a very positive meeting and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialogue.”
Taj also shared with Reuters that the meeting with Grafstrom and other FIFA officials was positive.
“I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them. I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there,” he said.
The Iranian squad is scheduled to leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday. Their base in the United States is located at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, and they are slated to travel there in early June.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Angels select OF Jose Siri, option Bryce Teodosio
Feb 26, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jose Siri (28) catches a fly ball in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of outfielder Jose Siri on Saturday prior to the team’s home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In corresponding transactions, outfielder Bryce Teodosio was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake and right-handed reliever Ben Joyce was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Siri, a five-year MLB veteran known for his speed and defensive ability, has not appeared in a big-league game this year. In 2023, he enjoyed a career season with the Tampa Bay Rays, blasting 25 home runs and stealing 12 bases in 101 games.
Last season, Siri’s offensive production cratered with the New York Mets as he missed five months with a broken tibia. In 16 games, he went 2 of 36 with no home runs and one RBI.
The 30-year-old has been producing this season for Salt Lake in the hitter-friendly PCL. He owns five home runs, 27 RBIs, four stolen bases and a .288 batting average in 140 plate appearances.
Teodosio shares a similar skillset. The speedy defensive specialist was batting .213 with no home runs and four stolen bases in 34 games for the Angels this season. The 26-year-old will be given more time to develop in the minors.
Joyce has not pitched in a major league game since April 8, 2025, as he needed labrum surgery last May. Accordingly, the 60-day IL move is not surprising as he continues to work through a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Slumping Corey Seager (back spasms) not in lineup vs. Astros
May 13, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) throws out Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas (not pictured) to end the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is not in Saturday’s starting lineup against the Houston Astros, as he woke up with back spasms, according to manager Skip Schumaker.
Seager, who is mired in a career-worst 0-for-27 stretch at the plate, did not play on Friday, but Schumaker said that was due to a previously scheduled day off.
“He wanted to see if he could loosen up when he got here,” Schumaker said. “It just didn’t loosen up, so just wanted to play it smart and not push him.”
Seager went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Wednesday’s game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Five-year veteran Ezequiel Duran, who is hitting .274, will start his second consecutive game at shortstop and bat in the No. 5 hole.
Duran has also played second base, third base and both corner outfield spots in 2026.
Seager, a five-time All-Star, is now batting .179 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in 42 games this season.
He is in his fifth season in Texas after signing a 10-year, $325 million deal prior to the 2022 season. Seager played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2015-2021.
–Field Level Media
Report: FIFA, Iran hold talks ahead of World Cup
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 17, 2026
