Seattle, WA
‘Best day ever’ for Seattle Mariners’ unlikely Game 5 hero
SEATTLE – With a runner on second base and his team threatening to tie the game up, Seattle Mariners infielder Leo Rivas knew it could be his time make an impact.
He just didn’t know the type of impact he was about to make.
On to the ALCS: Polanco lifts Mariners over Tigers in ALDS epic
The M’s found themselves with their best chance to score in Game 5 of the ALDS since the second inning when Jorge Polanco walked with one out in the seventh and Josh Naylor moved him to second with a two-out single.
With Detroit right-hander Kyle Finnegan on the mound, manager Dan Wilson turned to the left-handed bat of Dominic Canzone to pinch-hit for designated hitter Mitch Garver. Meanwhile, Rivas was thinking he might run for Polanco to give Seattle a little extra speed at second base.
Instead, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch countered with a left-hander out of the bullpen when Canzone was announced to pinch-hit. Wilson countered that counter with a move of his own, giving the longtime minor leaguer Rivas his first career postseason at-bat in one of the most critical moments of the season – and on Rivas’ 28th birthday, too.
Rivas’ last at-bat had come in the Mariners’ regular season finale Sept. 28. But a lack of playing time hadn’t stopped the Maracay, Venezuela, native from delivering when his name was called upon earlier this year, and it didn’t Friday night during the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Tigers, either.
Rivas stepped up to the plate and smoothly stroked a single into left field, driving in the tying run as Seattle went on to outlast Detroit 3-2 in a 15-inning marathon and clinch their first AL Championship Series berth since 2001.
LEO RIVAS TIES IT!!! #SeizeTheMoment pic.twitter.com/FdtiEhZ26L
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 11, 2025
“I was like, ‘All right, Polo is on second. I might run for him,’” Rivas said postgame. “I don’t know if I’m going to pinch-hit right now, but I was thinking of running more than pinch-hitting. Then they just told me that (I was going to hit), and I thought, ‘Let’s go.’”
Leo Rivas was prepared to potentially pinch run for Jorge Polanco before he came and delivered the game-tying hit in the seventh. pic.twitter.com/5NiIhF4mqc
— Zac Hereth (@ZacHereth) October 11, 2025
It was certainly the biggest hit of Rivas’ life, and it was type that will put him forever in Mariners lore as an unlikely postseason hero.
But while Rivas’ big moment may come as a surprise to many, especially those who don’t watch the M’s on a daily basis, it wasn’t much of a surprise to those who are around him everyday in the clubhouse.
“Man, he’s one of those guys that – he’s always prepared,” Polanco said. “He’s always working. He’s always doing his thing, getting early to the field and doing all that kind of stuff. So I feel pretty good about him.
“It is his birthday today too, so it’s a special day for him, and I’m glad he got that at-bat and delivered in a big moment.”
Manager Dan Wilson said there was some thought as to whether or not they should leave Canzone in to face Tigers lefty Tyler Holton, but the switch-hitting Rivas had proven in the limited chances he’s received this year that he’s more than adequate from the right side of the plate.
“He swings the bat very well from the right side, and I just thought he puts together such a good at-bat and he waits for a pitch,” Wilson said. “And he got a pitch and put a really good swing on it. When you’re not out there regularly, that’s a difficult task. But he was up to the task tonight. It was a huge hit.”
As far as the person goes, Rivas is an easy one to root for.
He’s beloved in the clubhouse by many. He spent 10 seasons grinding through the minor leagues before getting his first taste of big leagues last year. And even though he was productive when up with the big club this year and tore up Triple-A while in Tacoma, he found himself in the minors again for a good chunk of this season.
“All glory to God. He knows what I’ve been through,” Rivas said. “… I’m just happy with God, that he’s been good for me, for my family too, that he keeps me where I’m at right now. I’m just grateful.”
As for where Friday ranks for Rivas in terms of birthdays? It’s pretty high on the list.
“Best day ever,” he said. “Best day ever.”
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Seattle, WA
Outreach groups respond to the reported relocation cycle of Ballard’s homeless population
SEATTLE — As people voice concerns about an encampment in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, outreach groups are detailing their efforts and fighting back against encampment removals.
The outreach group We Heart Seattle said it checks on the people in an encampment of at least 20 people weekly to offer water, snacks, personal hygiene items, and access to treatment.
RELATED | Ballard encampment grows after city removes nearby site along Burke-Gilman Trail
The group told KOMO it believes more can be done at the city level, from policy to housing, to get the homeless connected with shelter and services.
A woman working at the Fred Meyer off NW 45th Street and 9th Avenue captured video of a fire near tents at an encampment across the street. A day later, off camera, she told KOMO News she worries about the safety of the people living in the tents and Ballard neighbors, in addition to concerns about alleged open-air drug use at the encampment.
“We became homeless because of certain situations, and we turned to drugs, and unfortunately, addiction comes next, you know?” Crystal Rawlings told KOMO News. She has set up her tent on multiple streets in Ballard, and said she’s approaching one year of being opioid-free.
She believes there’s been more city outreach since the start of the new mayoral administration to connect people living on the streets with services, but knows there’s not enough transitional housing for everyone who needs or wants it.
She and the Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger urge the city to stop encampment removals that push this group to another block.
RELATED | City removes Ballard encampment as neighboring businesses raise housing concerns
“We’re not abominations. We’re not obstructions, and we’re not trash, so stop sweeping us,” Rawlings stated.
The city is still aiming to reach Mayor Katie Wilson’s goal of adding 1,000 new units of shelter in 2026 and recently opened a tiny home village in nearby Interbay, but fell short of the goal of 500 new units by June.
Andrea Suarez with We Heart Seattle estimates at least 20 people living on the street keep getting moved around Ballard, from behind the Albert Lee store to Leary Avenue to NW 45th Street behind the Fred Meyer.
“This encampment has people that’ve been homeless for more than five years. We know their names and faces. They’re still here. They’re still stuck in late-phase addiction, frankly because it’s permitted,” Suarez explained.
RELATED | Viral makeshift homeless shelter with chimney dismantled by Seattle city crews
She believes a camping ban on city sidewalks would help encourage more people to accept shelter, and help stop the cycle of moving people without
“It is an underserved community. I think it is unfair,” Suarez added. “We’ve tried to balance between enablement and really giving people a hand up, but without the teeth and backup for the work of outreach workers, it starts to feel futile, and that’s why we get burned out.”
The mayor’s office was working to send data about its homeless response in Ballard as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger estimates there have been nine Ballard-area encampment removals so far this year.
SEATTLE – Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington. Eastern and central Washington will reach near 100F with high fire danger. The coast and north interior will be cooler, only in the 60s to 70s.
Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington.
Fire Weather Watch
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds. Lightning strikes could create new fire starts and, with very dry conditions in place, any new fire could spread quickly.
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds.
What’s next:
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and a chance of thunderstorms. The heaviest showers will be in the morning hours and will turn more scattered into the evening hours.
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and chance of thunderstorms.
Looking Ahead:
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine. We will start to see highs reach the upper 80s to low 90s by early next week.
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine.
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After so many disappointing seasons with the interior offensive line, the Seattle Seahawks made a commitment last offseason to improve the unit. They started one big step at a time by drafting North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel in the first round, 18th overall pick, of the 2025 NFL Draft. This one was one of the last steps for the Seahawks to create one of the most productive offenses in the NFL.
Zabel wasn’t perfect in his rookie season, but he was good enough to validate the decision to draft him in the first round, and he showed improvement. Zabel is already a favorite among some Seahawks fans and some media outlets as they love his determination and spirit. It was a big jump from the FCS collegiate level to the NFL and this season, he has a chance to show why he might be a top-half-of-the-league guard.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Higher?
The Seahawks wanted a determined workhorse when looking for a guard. That’s exactly what they got in Zabel. Last season, he appeared in 1,051 snaps, which is only 10 fewer snaps than right tackle Abraham Lucas, who had the most offensive snaps. Zabel got better as the season progressed. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 81.5 and a run-block grade of 81.2 in Week 14 through the NFC Championship Game.
There were times last season when he looked like a monster against several defenders. He was pushing some defenders completely out of the way on pulling plays and even ran to defenders after the pass-catcher caught the ball. This is the mentality the Seahawks expect him to have going into his second season in the league. He has more experience and the complete trust of the team to be a franchise player on par with Lucas and left tackle Charles Cross. If he continues to improve, he will be another steal for the Seahawks.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Lower?
There were times last season when he didn’t quite catch up to the learning curve of the NFL. Zabel allowed two sacks, four hits and 24 pressures in 2025. The Seahawks expect those numbers to decrease significantly as he is experienced and capable of playing at an efficient level. While Zabel is impressive, he might not be the best player the Seahawks have selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. That honor belongs to slot cornerback Nick Emmanwori, who is stepping up to be the steal of the draft.
Zabel is easily one of the best second-year players and is one of the top offensive linemen, but there are players behind him because they haven’t proven to be consistently explosive for the Seahawks. There is going to be even more pressure on him this upcoming season. The Seahawks hired a more run-friendly coach in Brian Fleury as offensive coordinator. His ranking at the end of the season might be much better if he improves, or worse if he fails to reach expectations.
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