Tovar, Goodman homer in 5-run 9th, Rockies beat Giants 8-6

DENVER (AP) — Ezequiel Tovar capped a five-run ninth with his second homer of the game, Hunter Goodman had a three-run shot in the inning and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 8-6 on Friday night.

Tovar had four RBIs to help Colorado end a five-game skid.

With the Rockies down 6-3, Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman led off the ninth with singles off of Caleb Killian (1-3). One out later, Goodman hit a 2-2 slider just inside the foul pole in left for his 13th homer.

Willi Castro’s two-out single kept the rally going and Tovar lined his fourth homer of the season into the seats in left to end it.

Juan Mejia (1-4) got the win after allowing two runs in the ninth.

Jung Hoo Lee, who had been sidelined with a mid-back strain, was activated from the 10-day IL before the game. He had four hits and two run-saving catches for San Francisco, which also saw the return of pitcher Logan Webb.

Webb, who been in the IL since May 6 due to right knee bursitis, allowed a run in 4 1/3 innings.

Lee saved a run in the fourth with a catch at the right-field wall in the fourth and robbed the Rockies of two more when he made a sliding grab of Troy Johnston’s sinking liner in the fifth.

The Giants built a 4-1 lead with three sacrifice flies and an RBI single, but things tightened in the eighth when Tovar hit a two-run homer to get within one.

Rafael Devers had an RBI triple in the ninth and scored on a single, but it wasn’t enough for San Francisco, which has lost four straight.

Giants RHP Adrian Houser (2-4, 5.30) was set to start Saturday. Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-1, 6.30) was expected to be activated from the 15-day IL to make his first start since April 23.

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San Francisco Giants catcher Daniel Susac thorws to first base to put out Colorado Rockies' Willi Castro in the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian reacts after giving up a three-run home run to Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman reacts as he heads up the first-base line after connecting for a three-run home run off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman flips his bat as he celebrates while looking back at the dugout after hitting a three-run home run off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar follows the flight of his two-run home run off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Before North America, World Cup magic made a stopover in Greece.

Players battled and bonded not at the mega-stadiums of Mexico, Canada and the United States, but on practice fields squeezed into urban neighborhoods of Athens.

There were no luxury suites or grand arenas — just a local soccer competition where migrants and Greek players kicked the ball on city fields before crowds pressed to chain‑link fences, as music spilled into the streets.

And while Albania, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan didn't qualify for the World Cup, amateur players with ties to those countries brought their best game in Athens.

Many migrant players have been bracing for the implementation of Europe’s stricter migration and asylum rules in June. But the tournament for migrant and refugee communities was a joyful distraction, a celebration of football and identity.

At one venue near Plato’s Academy, where ancient Athenians once debated the meaning of citizenship, the Acropolis rose in the distance beyond the field. In the densely populated district of Kypseli, supporters waved Congolese and Ivory Coast flags while volunteers led outdoor drumming lessons nearby.

Teams competed to the soundtrack of African pop music as coaches shouted instructions and supporters cheered from the sidelines.

Amelie Nguedia of Cameroon danced onto the field before kickoff as others joined in, laughing around her.

“Coming to play here is a real pleasure,” she said. “We aren’t professionals, but we love participating.”

Nguedia said that she would be supporting Ivory Coast at the World Cup, after Cameroon failed to qualify.

The Kypseli Mundial tournament was founded three years ago by Ivorian Moussa Sangare, who says he wanted to use football to combat fear and mistrust toward migrants in Greece.

The Mediterranean nation is at the forefront of migrants illegally entering the European Union and was the stage of the 2015 refugee crisis. While the number of irregular border crossings to Greece fell in the last decade, anti-migration sentiment has grown, while the government enforces stricter border controls and vows to increase deportations.

“People are often afraid of migrants, but we wanted to change this narrative,” he said. “Interacting with migrants and second-generation migrants and doing things together: People change their minds through experience.”

Sangare rarely stopped moving throughout the competition — setting schedules, welcoming teams, filming social videos and cleaning up after matches.

“For us, this tournament is like a mini–World Cup in Greece,” he said.

The timing of the Athens competition carried its own symbolism.

The five-week World Cup starts June 11. A day later, new EU migration and asylum rules take effect, with tougher border controls and faster deportations. Greece also wants to move migrant detention facilities offshore to countries in Africa.

Despite that backdrop, there was a festive atmosphere in Athens.

Matches were competitive, but rarely hostile. Hard tackles drew shouts from the sidelines. Coaches barked instructions from cramped dugouts. Fans joked with rival supporters from opposite sides of the fencing.

Moments later, they shared a laugh.

For most players, the tournament stood apart from the routines of daily life. Many work long hours away from public view in restaurant kitchens, hotels, construction sites and food delivery jobs across Athens.

“I am very proud to be playing in this tournament for the first time,” said Amissi, a midfielder from Mali, shortly after finishing a game. He works in a factory assembling water heaters.

After 21 teams participated, Nigeria's team won the men’s competition, while Greek neighborhood club Fostiras claimed the women’s title.

Head referee Chara Vogiatzidaki said that the tournament’s significance extended beyond results on the field.

“There are so many countries and different cultures, and I think the main goal is to show respect for all communities,” she said.

“There are some teams that are technically very advanced, and others that are less so. But the important thing is that all the teams have the mindset of enjoying themselves," Vogiatzidaki said. "That’s really beautiful.”

Amelie Nguedia from Cameroon, left, gives the captain's armband after being substituted to Maria Chaffi during a semifinal soccer match against Fostiras Kaisarianis for the Kypseli Mundial in Athens, Greece, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Migrants from Congo dance during a semifinal soccer match against Mali for the Kypseli Mundial in Athens,Greece, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Migrants from Congo gather before a semifinal soccer match against Mali during the Kypseli Mundial in Athens, Greece, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

A migrant from Mali celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during a semifinal soccer match against Congo for the Kypseli Mundial in Athens, Greece, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Migrants from Congo prepare before a semifinal soccer match against Mali during the Kypseli Mundial in Athens, Greece, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)