Mariners News
The Mariners beat the Tigers 3-2 this afternoon to avoid their first sweep of the season. The M’s found early success against reigning AL Cy Young winner and former Seattle U star Tarik Skubal. Victor Robles hit a 2-run double and Dylan Moore added a solo home run to give Seattle a three-run cushion. The Tigers nearly rallied in the ninth when they loaded the bases trailing by one with one out. But Andres Munoz finished the job to help Seattle improve to 3-4 on the young season.
Luis Castillo gave up two runs over seven innings to earn his first win of the year. The Mariners have the day off tomorrow before traveling to San Francisco on Friday for a three-game series against the Giants.
One Mariners starter had a short-lived run in their rotation. The team sent Emerson Hancock down to Triple-A Tacoma yesterday after his rough outing against the Tigers earlier this week. He gave up six runs and recorded just two outs before being pulled in the first inning of Monday’s loss.
Lefty Jhonathan Diaz was called up to give the M’s some bullpen depth and another potential starting option. Regular starter George Kirby remains on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation with no estimated timeline for his return.
Meanwhile, third baseman Jorge Polanco is going on the paternity list with his wife expecting the birth of their child in Seattle. Leo Rivas was called up from Triple-A Tacoma to fill his roster spot.
Kraken News
The Kraken are back tonight for the start of their final road trip of the season. They’re up north for a regional battle against the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks are in desperation mode to extend their season, currently sitting seven points behind Minnesota for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with just eight games to go. The Kraken’s season is all but finished after they were eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend.
Seattle will try to secure the season series against Vancouver tonight, having won two of their three previous matchups with both wins coming in extra time. Coverage begins at 7:00 and puck drops at 7:30 on KPUG.
WWU Vikings News
A pair of Western Washington University softball players are in the national spotlight. Pitcher Kaiana Kong and third baseman Maleah Andrews have just been named to the Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist. They’re among 116 players nationwide and 15 from the West Region that will be considered for the postseason awards.
Kong has gone 5-0 as a relief pitcher and spot starter for the Viks in her sophomore season. Her 1.92 ERA is the lowest among all eligible pitchers in the GNAC. Andrews, a fellow sophomore, ranks second in all of D-II with a .535 batting average and also leads the GNAC in on-base percentage, runs, hits, doubles and total bases.
Western currently leads the GNAC standings with a 6-2 conference record, 22-9 overall. The Viks are entering conference play this Friday when they travel to Nampa, ID for a four-game series against Northwest Nazarene.
