Mariners News

The Mariners used a furious late-game rally to stun their division rivals this afternoon. Randy Arozarena drew a walk-off walk with the bases loaded and Seattle beat the Houston Astros 7-6 to win a key divisional series. The M’s trailed 5-0 entering the eighth inning, but Arozarena hit a grand slam to get them within one. Houston responded with another run in the top of the ninth to boost their lead to two.

Julio Rodriguez drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double to tie the game, then Arozarena drew the walk-off walk to give the Mariners the series win. Casey Lawrence earned the win after giving up two runs through the last three innings of the game. It came just hours after he was called up from Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners now improve to 5-8 on the young season. They’ll look to carry the momentum into another key divisional series at T-Mobile against the Texas Rangers starting on Friday.

It was a bittersweet day for M’s fans as another key starter hit the injured list. The team placed second baseman Ryan Bliss on the 10-day IL today with a left biceps tear. The 25-year-old is batting .200 with one homer and three RBIs in 11 games. He’s been sound defensively, leading all second baseman in the American League with 33 assists and no errors. The M’s called up Leo Rivas from Triple-A Tacoma to fill Bliss’ absence in the infield. It came a day after the team announced that starting right fielder and leadoff hitter Victor Robles will be sidelined until at least July with a fracture in his left shoulder.

The family member of a former Mariners slugger was killed in a tragic accident. Nelsy Cruz, sister of Nelson Cruz, was among 124 who died after the roof of a nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed last night. As the governor of the Monte Cristi province, Cruz was a high-profile death in what’s being considered one of the worst mass-casualty events in recent Dominican Republic history. At least 250 people were hurt, and more than 145 survivors have been pulled from the wreckage. It is not yet known what caused the roof to collapse and rescue efforts are still underway.

Kraken News

The Kraken had their win streak come to a screeching halt last night. Seattle fell to the Utah Hockey Club 7-1 in the Kraken’s first-ever trip to Salt Lake City. Utah scored the first seven goals of the game before Jared McCann scored on a power play in the third period to avoid a shutout. Utah’s seven goals were the most it has ever scored in its brief history as the NHL’s newest expansion team. It put an end to the Kraken’s first three-game win streak since November. Seattle will look to rebound against the Vegas Golden Knights tomorrow in their final road game of the season.

High School Baseball/Softball

The high school baseball and fastpitch softball seasons are hitting the midseason point here in Whatcom County. Lynden is currently tied with Anacortes for first place in the Northwest Conference baseball standings. The Lions are 6-0 in conference play and 7-3 overall. Lynden Christian isn’t far behind with a 4-0 conference record and 8-1 overall. Ferndale is next among Whatcom County schools, sitting at sixth place in the NWC.

Meanwhile, in fastpitch softball, Lynden is tied with Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley for first place in the conference standings. The Lions are undefeated in conference play, but have lost all four of their non-league games. Five schools – Nooksack Valley, Ferndale, Lynden Christian, Mount Baker and Blaine – are all clumped together in the middle of the standings. The regular season ends in early May.