The M’s without Felix is too awful to imagine
A GRIP ON SPORTS • All we can say is thank goodness for Felix Hernandez. Where would the Mariners be today without him? Read on.
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• The up-and-down road trip the M’s have been on was back to being up last night, mainly because Felix Hernandez was up on the hill. Of the eight games on this 4-4 trip, Felix has pitched two. The M’s are 2-0. In the other six they are 2-4. In Felix’s six starts this season, they are 6-0. In the rest of their games they are 5-15. That’s the definition of an ace.
• And yes, the American League’s player of the month for April, Nelson Cruz, also had a hand in last night’s win. Cruz, who has hit 14 home runs in the first 26 games, broke up a scoreless tie in the seventh with his deep fly ball down the left-field line. Logan Morrison added another home run in the inning and Seth Smith a third solo shot in the ninth. The four-game losing streak bred in Houston is now over.
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• WSU: We have reached the dog days of spring, when finding Cougar news isn’t easy. ESPN.com ranks the Pac-12 after spring practice. Washington State isn’t last.
• Gonzaga: A Canadian big man many expected to be in line to step in when Przemek Karnowski graduates is headed to San Diego State instead.
• EWU: Eastern obviously has the best field athlete in the Big Sky.
• Idaho: Chris Sarbaugh is returning to the Inland Northwest. The G-Prep graduate will finish his college basketball career at Idaho. Sean Kramer has this blog post.
• Preps: Mt. Spokane won the GSL baseball title going away. The Wildcats finished the regular season yesterday with a 2-0 win over Shadle Park and a four-game edge in the standings. Tom Clouse has the story. ... Jim Allen previews a district showdown in the 3A soccer ranks as well as a follow-up on a recent story on a Mead soccer player. Turns out Mohanad Lateef is too old to play high school soccer. The cutoff date, according to Jim’s story, is the first day of the season, which was March 1. Lateef had turned 20 in the fall. Funny thing. The WIAA holds girls soccer in the fall, so a girl the same exact age as Lateef would be eligible. Sounds like a Title IX violation to me.
• Seahawks: There seems to be a few questions remaining about Frank Clark and his past. ... Did the draft make the Seahawks better? John Schneider thinks so. ... Dave Boling does too. ... Some of the other undrafted free agents could help as well. ... Bruce Irvin is on the attack.
• Mariners: Besides the 3-2 win over the Angels yesterday, the M’s also made some roster moves. Shortstop Chris Taylor was called up from Tacoma and immediately put in the lineup. Brad Miller was seen before the game working in the outfield. ... You like a story of redemption? Then you’ll like this story on Jesus Montero.
• Sounders: The Sounders are back from New York, though they head out again soon. ... The MLS has some new rules thanks to this guy. ... Want to watch Manchester United play in July? Tickets go on sale soon. ... The U.S. National Team will be playing in D.C. the same day as the Sounders.
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• We’ll be back here tomorrow. Until then ...
