Mariners News
The Mariners are eying a rebound tonight after a nightmare start to their road trip out East.
The M’s got swept by the Blue Jays over the weekend in a series where they were outscored 19-4.
Cal Raleigh was the lone bright spot, hitting his 19th home run of the season on Saturday on his way to securing American League Player of the Week honors. Big Dumper broke out of his slump to go 7 for 18 at the plate and slug five homers over six games last week.
Still, the Mariners now sit five games back from the Astros for first place in the AL West with just 25 games left in the regular season.
They’re trying to snap their four-game skid tonight as they open their series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Coverage begins at 2:30 and first pitch is at 3:45 on KPUG.
In other Mariners news, the team is calling up their top power-hitting prospect.
The Seattle Times reports that the club will promote 21-year-old outfielder Lazaro Montes to the major leagues when rosters expand tomorrow. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound left-hand-hitting slugger will seek to revive a struggling Mariners offense.
Montes has combined for 38 home runs and 96 RBI in 122 games between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma this season. He’s expected to split time between right field and designated hitter as the M’s fifth-ranked prospect in their farm system by MLB Pipeline.
Meanwhile, the team placed starting pitcher Emerson Hancock on the 15-day injured list yesterday with a left adductor strain. Manager Dan Wilson says he expects Bryce Miller to take Hancock’s place in the rotation, just days after announcing that Miller would come out of the bullpen for the time being.
NFL News
One of the Seahawks’ old foes is coming back.
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced yesterday that he’s coming out of retirement to play in the upcoming season. ESPN reports he’s signing a one-year, $20 million deal that includes playoff incentives that can raise the total value to $30 million.
Donald initially retired in March 2024 after 10 seasons in the NFL that included a Super Bowl ring and three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
The 35-year-old now returns to join reigning Defensive Player of the Year Miles Garrett, giving the Rams two of the top defensive linemen in football history.
Soccer News
Arguably the greatest soccer player of all time has played his final World Cup.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer today. In an Instagram post, he referenced the recent death of his father playing a factor in his decision.
Messi played in six World Cups, winning in 2022 and leading Argentina to the final this year before losing to Spain.
Speaking of soccer, the Sounders managed to come away with a point over the weekend.
Dejan Joveljic scored a goal in each half of his debut with Seattle on Saturday, but the Chicago Fire scored a late goal to force a 2-2 draw.
The Sounders still haven’t won a match in MLS play since May 13.
Meanwhile, the Reign topped the Houston Dash 1-0 yesterday.
WWU Vikings News
Western athletics are coming off a successful opening weekend of the fall sports season.
The Vikings men’s soccer team upset fifth nationally-ranked Stanislaus State 2-1 on Saturday at Harrington Field.
Junior midfielder Lunden Fenster scored the winning goal in the 81st minute to help the Viks improve to 2-0.
The women’s team lost to 10th national-ranked UC Colorado Springs 1-0 yesterday to fall to 1-1.
Meanwhile, the Viks’ volleyball team beat San Francisco three sets to one on Saturday to improve to 2-1 on the young season.
