Washington pro sports summary for Sept. 1

SEATTLE – With the Storm making waves in the playoffs, Mariners nearing the regular season’s final stretch and the Seahawks entering the regular season, Washington’s professional teams have been busy over the past week.

Mariners

Seattle began a four-game home stand against the Cleveland Guardians last Thursday, winning the first two games 3-1 and 3-2 before losing 4-3 in the third game. In the final game of the series, the Mariners shut out Cleveland for a 4-0 win. Pitchers Marco Gonzales, Penn Murfee and Robbie Ray all earned wins in the series.

Along with the series win against the Guardians at home, the Mariners locked up their prized rookie Julio Rodríguez last week. The 21-year-old rookie’s deal is difficult and drawn out, but it can be briefed as a 12-year extension worth, at minimum, $209.3 million over that span. The deal can move upwards in value to nearly $470 million with incentives. If Rodríguez were to win an MVP over the span of the contract extension, it increases in value to $280 million and up to $350 million if he wins two MVP awards according to spotrac.com.

Rodríguez’s extension also includes a full no-trade clause, meaning the Mariner’s center fielder can veto possible trades. Things like MVP awards, Golden Gloves, All-Star Selections and more all award bonuses to Rodríguez.

The Mariners began a road trip on Tuesday, first to Detroit for a three-game stand with the Tigers – winning the first game 9-3, thanks to scoring their nine runs in the first five innings. They’ll then travel to Cleveland for three games with the Guardians before returning home for a series against the White Sox.

Storm

After a first-round sweep of the Washington Mystics, the Seattle Storm began their second-round matchup against the Las Vegas Aces. Seattle finished the regular season with a 1-3 record against Las Vegas. However, they didn’t let that showing stop them in the opening game on the road – winning 76-73 thanks to Jewell Loyd’s 26 points. Associated Press Player of the Year Breanna Stewart finished just behind Lloyd, scoring 24 points in the win.

Seattle’s next matchup in the series returns to Climate Pledge Arena for Game 3 of the series. The best-of-five format will see the winner advance to the WNBA Finals against either the Chicago Sky or the Connecticut Sun.

Seahawks

An eventful off-season has come to a close for the Seattle Seahawks, with many new faces taking to Lumen Field for the first time come opening day in two weeks. Long-time quarterback Russell Wilson, who spent 10 seasons in Seattle and is the team’s all-time leading passer, was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a king’s ransom of draft picks, along with tight end Noah Fant, defensive end Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Lock.

The Seahawks held a quarterback competition throughout the preseason with the incumbent Geno Smith earning the starting role, head coach Pete Carroll announced after Seattle’s final preseason game on Friday.

Seattle lost its final preseason game 27-26 on Friday, losing to the Dallas Cowboys. In the days since, Carroll and Co. have scoured over the roster in order to meet the mandatory 53 players needed by Tuesday afternoon. The team released cornerback Justin Coleman and waived the following players; receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia in mid-August; safety Marquise Blair; linebacker Joel Dublanko; quarterback Jacob Eason; tackle Greg Eiland; receiver Aaron Fuller; defensive tackle Jarrod Hewitt; receiver Cade Johnson; linebacker Vi Jones; receiver Kevin Kassis; tight end Tyler Mabry; receiver Bo Melton; linebacker Tanner Muse; safety Scott Nelson; tackle Liam Ryan; center Dakoda Shepley; receiver Freddie Swain; running back Darwin Thompson; linebacker Lakiem Williams; safety Deontai Wiliams.

Waived players must clear waivers before being able to be re-signed to a team or be placed on a team’s practice squad, the latter of which typically occurs following roster cuts.

Seattle kicks off its season on Sept. 12 against Wilson’s Broncos in Seattle.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.