Tuesday Sportsball: Sounders and Storm Win, M's Lose

Phew! What a day!

The Sounders made their fans wait an hour and a half for a goal, but finally got one in the 89th minute of play--it was a PK from Seba Le Toux after Fredy Montero drew a foul. The goal was good for a 1-0 win in a hard-fought U.S. Open Cup semifinal. The Sounders advance to the semis, they'll host the Houston Dynamo July 21 or 22 at Starfire. Next game Sat. vs. Houston (this is an MLS league game, not the U.S. Open Cup match).

The Storm turned a halftime deficit into a 13-point win behind Swin Cash's double-double (18 pts., 12 rebs.) LJ had a rare off-night--she was held scoreless in the first half, the first time since '05 she'd gone a whole half without scoring. She finished with just 3 points, but the Storm pulled out the win. Storm 7-4, 3rd place, .5 GB. Next game Thurs. vs. Sac.

Erik Bedard had spectacular return for the Mariners, with eight strikeouts in four innings. Held back due to a pitch count, he gave the bullpen a 3-2 lead but they couldn't hold it. In fact, they smashed it against the cement, allowing Baltimore 10 runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Ouch. M's lost 12-4, with Mount Vernon H.S. grad Mark Hendrickson getting the win in relief for the O's. One bright spot: Ken Griffey Jr's. subtle tribute to Michael Jackson--Jr. wore just one batting glove during the game. Griffey, you're the best. M's 43-40, 3.5 GB. Next game Weds. vs BAL, 1:40 p.m.; Vargas vs. Hernandez.