Now that’s a nice surprise
A GRIP ON SPORTS
Ever find money you didn't know you had? I did yesterday, on a gift card that had been sitting on my desk for, I don't know, more than half a decade. It was a lot of money. And made my weekend better. But not as good as the Mariners'. They also discovered some found money, if you will. Read on.
• Roenis Elias was considered a space holder when the season began. A guy who could hold down a starting spot until Taijuan Walker or James Paxton got healthy. Sort of a Brandon Maurer with talent. (OK, that's mean. Maurer has talent. Lots of it. And yet said talent doesn't translate into success. Which just goes to show you how thin the line is between that and failure in the bigs.) Elias has been good at times this season and not-so-good. Usually the difference, as it is with all young pitchers, is command. When he's hitting spots, the left-hander is tough. He was hitting spots yesterday against the Tigers. With all his pitches, especially his change-up. The result was a three-hit, complete-game shutout and a series win against Detroit. Found money.
• Another unexpected gift yesterday was the hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago. I guess unexpected would be the wrong word because it was a game seven in the Stanley Cup playoffs and those are usually pretty darn good. Sunday was no exception. The Kings, who won the Cup in 2013, had frittered away a 3-1 lead in the series and had to win the series decider on the road. The Blackhawks were not going to let that happen. Chicago led the entire game. The Kings stayed within tying distance and did just that late in the third period. And they won in overtime. And then both teams shook hands. Hockey. Got to love it.
• Father's Day is not that far away. And we want your memories of your dad and sports. Of times good – and bad – you spent with your father playing catch, watching golf, running Bloomsday. Whatever. The time he yelled at an umpire or told you he was proud of you or embarrassed the heck out of your brother. We'll put them together and run them in their entirety here on SportsLink. Some might even be featured in the Review. Don't worry about polish, just share what's in your heart. Send them to me at vincegrippi55@yahoo.com. I'll take care of the rest. Make sure to include your name, as the newspaper needs it for confirmation purposes.
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• WSU: After saying goodbye to a Ken Bone point guard signee, then losing out on two other point guards in the spring recruiting period, Ernie Kent needed to bring in a point for next season. He received a commitment from a Bay Area guard yesterday, though it's too late, I believe, for Trevor Dunbar to sign a letter of intent. Jacob Thorpe has more on the newest Cougar basketball player. ... Jon Wilner takes some time this morning to cover the particulars – and history – of Ed O'Bannon vs. the NCAA.
• Seahawks: The Hawks will be back at in OTAs this week, so there's that. Percy Harvin is glad to be healthy this offseason and to be part of the team. That team won't be signing tight end Jermichael Finley, however. ... Richard Sherman not only has a huge new contract, he's making a ton of money as a pitchman.
• Mariners: Remember 1999? That's the last time an M's rookie threw a shutout. Yep, it was Freddy Garcia. But Elias did it yesterday, defeating Detroit 4-0. ... The win came without Robinson Cano in the lineup again, though Lloyd McClendon keeps saying he's getting closer. Technically, that's true, unless Cano's career is over. But we want to know when he'll be back. ... James Jones is headed home.
• Sounders: Though Clint Dempsey is busy scoring goals for the U.S. National Team, the Sounders' offense has perked along, thanks to some fill-in players. ... Vancouver took over the top spot in the Cascadia Cup with a 4-3 win over Portland.
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• And that's our report for this beautiful Monday. Only a week to go until the most influential golf tournament of the summer. Let's hope the weather holds. Until later ...
