Just about every Seattle team got themselves a win this weekend.
SEATTLE — Seattle’s sports teams put together an epic weekend, with victories all over the place.
It began in spirit on Thursday night, with the Seattle Kraken winning the team’s home opener for the first time in franchise history at Climate Pledge Arena.
On Friday, the Seattle Mariners hosted the Detroit Tigers for a winner-take-all Game 5 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) at T-Mobile Park. In a 15-inning thriller, the Mariners walked it off with a Jorge Polanco hit to clinch a spot in the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2001.
Also happening just a few miles north of SODO, the Washington Huskies’ football team was hosting Rutgers University for a Friday night Big Ten Conference game. The Huskies got off to a slow start, but rallied to earn a 38-19 win over the Black Knights. Though the Huskies’ game started after the Mariners’ playoff game, the UW game wrapped well before it ended and fans were allowed to stick around at Husky Stadium to watch on the big screen.
The Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) tied with Bay FC 1-1 on Friday, as Jess Fishlock scored a late equalizer
At Lumen Field on Saturday night, it was the Seattle Sounders’ turn to carry the mantle for the Emerald City. An early goal against Real Salt Lake put the Sounders in front, and the squad managed to blank their opponents to earn a 1-0 win. In a nod to their stadium neighbors, the Sounders broke out the Mariners’ iconic victory celebration dance.
The Kraken hosted the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night as well, and pulled out a 2-1 victory in overtime.
Sunday began with the Seattle Seahawks playing on the opposite corner of the continent in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. Typically a tall task for West Coast teams playing early thousands of miles from home, the Seahawks’ defense dominated in a 20-12 win to improve the team’s record to 4-2. The team has now won nine consecutive road games.
The Mariners were back in action on Sunday night, opening up the ALCS in Toronto against the Blue Jays, who had the best record in the league during the regular season. After allowing a home run on the first pitch, the Mariners locked in and earned a 3-1 victory in Game 1. Jorge Polanco came up clutch once again with two RBI, two days after he delivered the walk-off hit to clinch the ALDS.
Monday night provides an opportunity to put a bow on the triumphant weekend for Seattle, as the Mariners take on the Blue Jays in Game 2 of the ALCS. Ace Logan Gilbert will pitch for the Mariners, and a win would give Seattle a commanding 2-0 series lead with the next three games to be played at T-Mobile Park.
Lifelong Mariners fans know no win is ever guaranteed, but regardless of what happens Monday, Seattle’s teams gave the fans a lot of reasons to cheer.