A GRIP ON SPORTS • This time of year it's easy to look out the back window and see plants beginning to bloom. It's an annual symbol of rebirth, of hope. Personally, it doesn't compare in the hope category to watching Nelson Cruz launch a hanging breaking-ball about 400 feet down the left-field line. Read on.

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• I'm sorry to say, but I'm of two minds when it comes to Cruz. The bomb he hit yesterday was of the type that not only carried a quarter-mile but also carried hope. Hope of success, something the M's came oh so close to tasting last season. But Cruz's sculpted build, the power behind that bomb, also carries something. The taint of performance enhancing drugs. It's no secret Cruz failed a drug test. He sat out much of a season less than two years ago. He's a proven, well, there's no way to sugar coat this, cheater. Yes, he's paid his penalty. He's missed his time. He's now back in baseball's good graces and is being tested regularly. But if the last 20 years has taught us anything, it's taught us that somewhere there is a chemist who has already concocted something new, something undetectable, something helpful in building mass or maintaining it or in helping it regenerate after a tough workout. I'm not saying Cruz, or anyone for that matter, is still using PEDs and is beating the tests. All I'm saying is we can't rely on the drug police to catch everyone if only because the rule-breakers always seem a step ahead. So when Cruz steps into the batter's box, digs in and launches a high fastball deep into left-centerfield this season, the fan in me will rejoice. The cynic in me – which overpowered and subdued the fan long ago – will be skeptical, waiting for the next spike to drop. And hoping it doesn't, at least until the M's win a World Series.

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• WSU: For much of last night's battle with the 13th-ranked Utes of Utah, Washington State stood even. Until it came time to decide the game. Then Utah showed why it's won more than 20 games this season. Final score: Utah 67, WSU 59. Jacob Thorpe has the game story from last night along with the final box and a video interview with Ernie Kent. ... The women fared better in the opening round of the Pac-12 tournament. Behind Lia Galderia's 34 points, WSU defeated Oregon 66-64 in Seattle. Tom Clouse was there and has this game story. ... The Cougar baseball team also won yesterday.

• Gonzaga: The GU women will begin WCC tournament play today, facing Loyola Marymount. Jim Meehan has an advance of the contest. ... The men will not play until tomorrow. That side of the tournament begins today with the Bay Area schools all in action. ... The L.A. Times has an advance of the tournament. ... Back to the women, BYU got back on the winning track in the first round.

• EWU: Despite giving up 55 second-half points last night, the Eagles held off Idaho State, 85-81 on the road. And, thanks to Southern Utah's 69-65 win over Sacramento State, moved back into a tie for the Big Sky top spot. Now all the Eagles have to do to host the conference tournament is defeat Weber State in Ogden, have Northern Arizona defeat Sac State and Montana State defeat Montana. That's all. ... Elsewhere in the Big Sky last night, Northern Arizona defeated Portland State 58-51. ... The Eastern women are now in third place in the Big Sky.

• Idaho: Weber is still alive for a Big Sky tournament berth thanks to its 74-63 win over Idaho. The Vandals are still trying to secure their berth.

• Whitworth: The Pirates are back in Atlanta for the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament. Tom has an advance of their game with LaGrange College.

• Chiefs: Everett and Tri-City are getting ready for big weekend games.

• Preps: It's hard to believe how busy it was last night. We'll start in Idaho, where Post Falls stayed alive (barely) for the 5A title with a 52-51 win over Nampa. ... In Washington, Gonzaga Prep is now two wins away from back-to-back 4A girls title after handling Bothell 54-29. Greg Lee has the story. ... The Clarkston boys and the East Valley girls both won in the 2A tournament. ... The Lakeside girls won in the 1A tournament. ... At the Arena, the 2B boys and the 1B girls have Eastern Washington teams in the semifinals but there are none in the 2B girls (here's a roundup) and 1B boys (and another roundup). ... Jesse Tinsley and Dan Pelle teamed up for this photo report.

• Seahawks: With Byron Maxwell all but out the door, the Hawks are interviewing replacement cornerbacks. ... It looks as if the Hawks have figured out a way to keep two restricted free agents, including Jermaine Kearse.

• Mariners: The M's 9-4 win yesterday was powered by the long ball – and the middle of the lineup. Robinson Cano, Cruz and Kyle Seager were 6-of-9 in the game and looked the part as middle of the order hitters. ... Erasmo Ramirez (pictured) is in baseball limbo, a veteran who is out of options but with little chance to make the big club. ... Rickie Weeks will be in leftfield today against the Dodgers. ... Ji-Man Choi, who broke his leg Wednesday, will have surgery and be out a while. ... Ketel Marte is just trying to learn his way around a big league camp. ... It looks as if the M's are going to close their Venezuelan academy.

• Sounders: The Sounders revealed their uniforms for the upcoming season, if you are into that sort of thing. I see the annual changing of the kits as a way to make more money selling uniform replicas to cash-strapped parents, but maybe that's just me. ... The MLS season kicks off tonight. Here's one guy's thoughts on the finish.

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• I'm back on the radio today, with Dennis Patchin and I pairing up on 700 ESPN (think Statler and Waldorf). We'll follow the M's game and go until 6. After that I'm headed over to the Arena for B basketball. You can listen here if you want. Until then ...

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