SEATTLE — A monster six-run seventh inning catapulted the Seattle Mariners to a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The victory clinched the seventh consecutive series win for the Mariners and improved their overall season record to 18-12. They're 15-5 in their last 20 games.
"Really, (I liked) where we were getting the contributions from everybody," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said on the seventh inning in a postgame interview. "A couple of guys down at the bottom to set the table, and things kind of took off from there. And then the guys at the top continuing it. When you got that kind of momentum, that synergy going, you can break open the game in a situation like that. And we were able to do that."
The Mariners rally began with the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh. Seattle starting pitcher Emerson Hancock and Los Angeles starter Tyler Anderson were both pulled by that point.
Hancock had his second consecutive quality start. He struck out four in six innings, walked two and allowed three earned runs on nine hits (one home run). Hancock's let up three earned runs or less in three straight starts after he allowed six earned in 0.2 innings in his season debut against the Detroit Tigers on March 31.
"I think it's good, but also, it's just the job," Hancock said after the game. "It's what you have to just keep doing moving forward. Don't get too high, don't get too low. You take the good and the bad from this one and you move on."
The Mariners had six base hits in a row and seven batters reach base consecutively to start the bottom of the seventh. Leo Rivas and Samad Taylor both singled and moved into scoring position after a passed ball. J.P. Crawford brought them home with a single, Crawford scored on a Julio Rodriguez double and Cal Raleigh scored Rodriguez with a single.
Three plate appearances later, the Angels got their first two outs of the inning with the bases loaded and Seattle up 7-3. Rivas was brought up for his second at-bat of the inning and brought in the Mariners' final two runs of the frame with a single for the eventual final of 9-3. The M's had 11 plate appearances in the seventh.
Rivas finished the game 3-for-4 with a run and three RBIs and was one of four Seattle hitters (Crawford, Randy Arozarena, Donovan Solano) with multiple hits.
7th inning magic pic.twitter.com/Qs5Qo2KmCZ
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 30, 2025
Rivas had an RBI single in the bottom of the second several at-bats after a solo Arozarena homer that put the Mariners up 2-1. Rivas' two early-game at-bats drew audible frustration from Anderson.
Rivas Ribeye #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/anYWlLxygM
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 30, 2025
"I feel like for me, (it's just) see my pitches, hit it," Rivas said after the game. "If he (doesn't) throw it there, just take it. I feel like, for me, he's got to throw three strikes no matter what. I just wait for my pitch."
Los Angeles catcher Logan O'Hoppe hit an RBI single in the top of the first inning to give his team a 1-0 lead. It was the Angels only advantage of the game. Jorge Soler hit a solo homer in the top of the third to tie the game 2-2. Raleigh scored after he stole third on an O'Hoppe throwing error to put Seattle back up 3-2 in the bottom of the third. Zach Neto tied the game at 3-3 after he grounded into a force out in the top of the fourth that scored Gustavo Campero. The two teams remained knotted until the Mariners' eventual seventh-inning rally.
Seattle's win Wednesday gave the club three straight series wins over American League West opponents. The Mariners are two games ahead of the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers in the division.
Seattle will have an off-day Thursday and will take on the Texas Rangers in the first of a six-game road trip at 5:05 p.m. PT on Friday in Arlington, Texas. Bryan Woo will start for the Mariners against a to-be-determined Rangers pitcher.
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With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers was an immediately polarizing move that did not sit well with large portions of the fan base. It also did not sit well with one of the team's all-time greatest players, four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw initially referred to the signing of Rodgers as a "joke" and that he should "stay in California and go chew bark" in reference to Rodgers isolating himself in a darkness retreat last year. On Saturday, Rodgers finally had a chance to respond to Bradshaw and did so with a combination of taking the high road, and also trying to make light of it. “I whisper to the gods every single day. I’ve known Terry for a long time, being a part of Fox. Terry’s a legend. He’s an absolute legend. He won four Super Bowls. He’s had a legendary career in the media. But Terry, like a lot of people, doesn’t know me. And so, he’s got an idea of what he thinks about me based on what I’ve done, the documentary, what I’ve said, darkness retreat, whatever the hell you want to talk about. I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level. I feel like if he gave me a chance to get to know him, then we’d have a good friendship." He ended the answer by saying, "So, I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level if he’s open to it. And maybe we can go chew some bark or whatever the hell he’s talking about together.” The Steelers were in a pretty desperate quarterback situation this offseason after completely overhauling the position for a second year in a row. They missed out on the chance to re-sign Justin Fields, let Russell Wilson walk, missed out on every other veteran who changed teams and passed on the opportunity to select a quarterback near the top of a weak quarterback draft class. (They ultimately selected Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round.) The whole Rodgers saga has been quite a soap opera for the Steelers as they waited around for months while he decided on whether or not he wanted to play this season, and if he wanted to play for the Steelers. Add in the fact he has had a tendency to cause some off-field distractions with his comments and weekly "Pat McAfee Show" appearances, as well as the fact he will turn 42 years old this season and hasn't been a top-tier quarterback in three years, and a lot of Steelers fans — and former players — were put off by the idea. The only thing that will matter in the end, however, is how Rodgers plays on the field. He has said all of the right things since joining the team, and his new teammates have all spoken highly of him so far, but it will still come down to results on the field. The Steelers have not won a playoff game in eight years and are facing added pressure each year to end that drought. They are hoping Rodgers has one more good year in him to help them advance in the postseason.
Jonathan Kuminga doesn’t have a good relationship with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, according to NBA insider Sam Amico of Hoops Wire. Kuminga is a restricted free agent. He doesn’t want to return to the Warriors. Kerr benched Kuminga for the final regular-season game of last season versus the Los Angeles Clippers and the play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Kuminga played in Games 2 and 3 of the Warriors-Houston Rockets first-round postseason series, but that was only because Jimmy Butler was injured. Golden State beat Houston in seven games. Kuminga played in every game of the Warriors-Minnesota Timberwolves second-round playoff series, but that was only because Stephen Curry got injured in Game 1 and missed the rest of the series. Golden State lost to Minnesota in five games. The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga played in 47 games for the Warriors last season. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 66.8% from the free-throw line. The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are interested in Kuminga, who has career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The forward, though, hasn’t gotten an offer sheet from the Suns or Kings. As a restricted free agent, Kuminga has three options: re-sign with the Warriors on a new deal, play next season on his $7.9 million qualifying offer with Golden State and enter unrestricted free agency next offseason or sign an offer sheet with a new team. If Kuminga signs an offer sheet with a new team, the Warriors can either match the offer sheet or let the 2022 NBA champion leave and work on a sign-and-trade deal. “We’re trying to be responsible,” a Warriors front office executive told NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac. “With the aprons and hard caps and all of that, you can’t just throw money around. We still love Jonathan. We’re hopeful we can figure out a way to strike a balance that works for him and for us. “But we’re not going to compromise our roster-building ability now, or in the future. We have to be responsible in the way we build our team.”