The Mariners are back tonight for the start of their nine-game homestand.

They’re facing the San Diego Padres in the opener of a brief two-game series.

Seattle has gained a bit of ground in the race for the final Wild Card spot in the American League, sitting just three games behind Minnesota.

San Diego, meanwhile, is in the thick of the playoff race themselves, as they hold a slim 1.5-game lead in the National League Wild Card race.

The M’s had success in their earlier series against the Padres, beating them by a combined score of 10-3 across both games of the sweep.

George Kirby is on the mound to start the M’s off strong as he looks to get the fourth win in his last five outings.

Coverage begins at 5:30 and first pitch is at 6:40 on KPUG.

 

A Seahawks’ division rival found success last night in the inaugural Monday Night Football of the season.

The San Francisco 49ers spoiled Aaron Rodgers’ return and took care of the New York Jets 32-19 in the Bay Area.

The Jets scored the first touchdown of the game to put them up 7-3, but it was all San Fran from there as they scored the next 23 points of the game.

Rodgers looked so-so in his return from a torn Achilles that sidelined him just four snaps into last season’s opener, throwing for 167 yards with a touchdown and a pick.

49ers running back Jordan Mason impressed while filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey, rushing for 147 yards and a score.

The Seahawks and Niners now sit alone at the top of the NFC West standings as the only teams in the division to pick up a win in Week One.

 

The Seattle Kraken have agreed to terms with defenseman Adam Larsson on a four-year, $21 million contract extension.

Larsson was heading into the final season of a four-year, $16 million deal he signed with Seattle after being selected in the 2021 expansion draft.

He contributed 18 points off four goals and 14 assists last season.

The 31-year-old has only missed one game in three seasons with the Kraken.

 

Both WWU soccer teams wrapped up their opening weekend on a high note.

The women’s team upset 6th nationally-ranked University of Colorado-Colorado Springs 2-0 at Harrington Field on Sunday.

Morgan Manalili and Lydia Myers each scored to help the Lady Viks earn their first win of the season and improve to 1-0-1.

The men’s team played Sonoma State to a 1-1 draw on Saturday to improve to 1-0-1 following their own upset win over 18th nationally-ranked Chico State in the season opener.

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ volleyball team got swept in their last two games of the WWU Invitational tournament at Carver Gym to fall to 1-2 to open the season.

Coming up on Thursday, they’re hitting the road for their next match against 8th nationally-ranked Cal State San Bernardino, while the men’s soccer team stays here in Bellingham for a big match against #3 Cal State LA at Harrington Field.