Sports | The Seattle Times

Updated 4:43 pm M's can't climb out of this hole, split series with Boston

Leake wiggled out of trouble in the second inning with some help from his defense, but not before all nine Red Sox batters had come to the plate and five runs had scored.

Updated 2:46 pm

Mailbag: Could Nelson Cruz get a David Ortiz-like situation in Seattle?

Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz celebrates in the dugout after connecting for a two-run homer against the Angels. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)

Nelson Cruz and Jerry Dipoto's contracts are both up after this season. What's in the works to keep them around? Mariners beat writer Ryan Divish offers his insight in this week's edition of his Twitter mailbag.

A day at Pebble Beach with dad was perfect Father’s Day moment

Golf was always my dad’s and my thing. Neither of us were all that good, but it became this kind of unspoken bonding tradition between father and son.

Felix Hernandez’s son Jeremy threw out the ceremonial first pitch to dad on Fathers Day before the Mariners take on the Red Sox., Sunday, June 17, 2018 at Safeco Field in Seattle. 206652

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The Prince throws the first pitch to his dad, King Felix, as the Mariners celebrate Father’s Day

Father and son didn't cap the moment with a hug. Instead Felix Hernandez and his son, Jeremy, unleashed an elaborate handshake as if they were teammates. Updated 4:08 pm

Podcast | Analyzing the Mariners' unexpected success

How have the Mariners reached this level of success -- 44-24 record and atop the AL West standings? The Extra Innings podcast discusses the reasons for the unexpected success in 2018.

Adrian Hanauer, Seattle Sounders FC Owner, speaks at a press conference about the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

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World Cup should visit Seattle in 2026, and here are 3 reasons why

Of the 17 U.S. cities bidding to host World Cup games, Seattle deserves to be one of the 10 FIFA selects (three cities from Canada and three more from Mexico are already guaranteed to host). It has the resources, it has the scenery, and it has one of the more rabid soccer fan bases.

Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin makes a leaping catch as the Seattle Seahawks hold minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton Thursday June 14, 2018. Griffin was born with amniotic band syndrome and had his left hand amputated as a child. 206611

Analysis: Six things we learned as the Seahawks wrapped up minicamp

Earl Thomas remained away from practice as the Seahawks held their final of three minicamp workouts this week. WATCH

Rick Rizzs first began broadcasting Mariners games in 1983. Photographed at Safeco Field Friday, May 25, 2018.

Mariners announcer Rick Rizzs is living his dream and it shows

If Rizzs always seems happy, always upbeat no matter the situation, why wouldn’t he be? He is living his dream, and he spent enough years toiling in the minors to appreciate being in the big leagues.