The A’s came into Seattle on Monday evening and used some late-game offense to take the first of this three-game set. Back in the win column, and back atop the AL West with sole possession of the division lead.
Seattle, WA
Grubauer Freezes Out Penguins | Seattle Kraken
On this February 29th night, the Kraken leaped past the Minnesota Wild in the Western wild-card race, thanks to a stellar 33-save performance from Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer. All-Star forward Oliver Bjorkstrand scored another clutch goal with more elite net-front stick work on the opening goal, then Alex Wennberg added a much-welcome insurance goal on a later third period power play on a penalty drawn by former Penguin Jared McCann. The 2-0 final provides Seattle with seven of 10 possible standings points on this homestand with one more game, Pacific Division rival Edmonton on Saturday with a 1 p.m. puck drop.
Passing Minnesota is a gratifying outcome, same for now being tied with contenders Calgary and St. Louis, all three squads at 63 points in 59 games played. But wildcard leaders Nashville (now at seven straight wins) and Los Angeles (ending a two-game losing streak at Vancouver) both stayed nine and seven points ahead of Seattle.
Grubauer Gets the Nod, Delivers Clean Sheet
Dave Hakstol has been clear that both goalies, Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord, will be needed over the next month and a half (yes, Friday is March 1). Fans and media can only guess how the tandem will share the crease, but Philipp Grubauer made a strong case in Thursday’s opening period to potentially regain the unofficial starting role. After posting three wins in three spaced starts since Jan. 22, in the backup role to Joey Daccord, the veteran goaltender turned in 18 saves in the first period, including four Grade-A scoring chances. Highlight stops include a couple of saves on Pens defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph and his D-partner Kris Letang, plus a huge mid-period save on the still-dangerous Jeff Carter, the two-time LA Kings Cup winner now playing fourth-line minutes for Pittsburgh.
Grubauer conceded in his post-game remarks that this shutout was special. His last one for Seattle was April 7, 2022. But, like his teammates, he is fully in the present with a wild-card chase in full sprint.
“It’s more important to get those points than get the shutout,” said Grubauer. “It’s huge for the team because everybody plays to their part and everybody does their part [in a shutout].”
Grubauer talked a lot in the inaugural season about needing to see pucks and understand how his teammates were helping to block or divert shots with screening the goalie. Thursday post-game Grubauer noted some nuances about what Pittsburgh was doing to break through a scoreless night, especially during a barrage of 18 shots on goal and nearly double the attempts in the first period.
“They had a couple from the blue line where they tried to miss the net and just created some bounces,” said Grubauer, cheered mightly with “Gruuuu” chants when announced and interviewed on-ice as the game’s first star. “They weren’t all always necessarily shooting at me, more like shooting for sticks [and ensuing deflections]. Also finding guys who tried to get lost [net-front]. We did a good job of eliminating sticks and tips.”
‘Special’ Not Special, Though Grubauer Was
When Seattle dropped a disappointing 5-2 game to Western Conference wild-card Minnesota last Saturday, one culprit trend was too many Kraken penalties. This matchup against Eastern Conference wildcard contender was seeping into the same swamp when veteran forward Jaden Schwartz went off for holding not long into the middle period for the second Kraken penalty-kill of the night.
Schwartz took a tripping penalty late first period too. The trouble with too many penalties is the Kraken prosper when they can roll out four lines playing fast and keep opponents facing their play-fast units of five.
But Philipp Grubauer and the PK units snuffed out those first two threats. The Kraken goaltender fended off three big names on the second Penguins power play, stopping Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang (they’ve been teammates for 18 seasons, setting a trio record with Evgeni Malkin for most seasons for three teammates across NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL), plus offensively-gifted defenseman Erik Karlsson. Grubauer’s best save on that second power play was getting in front of a close-in turnaround shot from first-line forward Rickard Rakell.
There was one more penalty to survive in the middle period (not Schwartz this time) when former Penguin Brian Dumoulin was called for high-sticking 13-and-a-half minutes into the frame. Dumoulin was preventing Pittsburgh fourth-liner Jansen Harkins from pushing the puck past Grubauer, who made the stop while Dumoulin’s stick was inadvertently coming up high on Harkins’ face as the play finished. Grubauer supported his teammate by making two more PK saves on Crosby. The Kraken goalie finished the first 40 minutes with 29 saves.
Dave Hakstol doesn’t like seeing his squad committing penalties when the likes of Sidney Crosby and company are on the power play (“Sidney Crosby is going as good as anybody in the league right now”). But the head coach, victorious in his 500th NHL game, did appreciate the PK’s overall effort with special cred for Grubauer’s work in goal.
“Our competitiveness was good,” said Hakstol. “It starts there. Obviously, that’s a big part of killing, structure, and the individual competitiveness of the guys out there. We got clears for the most part. Their power play recovers pucks very well. but when we had some opportunities, we got pucks down and that enabled us to get fresh bodies on the ice.”
Borgen, Wennberg, Bjorkstrand and a Flying Puck
For the second straight game, Kraken defenseman Will Borgen perfectly timed a shot from his usual right-point heavy shot location that resulted in a goal for teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand. This particular high-speed delivery bounced off Alex Wennberg’s shoulder, where Bjorkstrand batted it in mid-air (spring training has begun, right?) to put Seattle ahead 1-0. It’s a bright and encouraging sign that Bjorkstrand’s scoring touch might be going from nine-game cold to now a two-game heat-up that fans can only hope becomes an all-out torch run. Post-game, the Danish forward was talking a bit like a baseball shortstop waiting on a pop-up.
“I knew it hit Wenny and I kind of focused on the puck,” said Bjorkstrand, smiling just a bit. “I didn’t want to lose it and find a way to whack it. I knew guys weren’t really sure where it went, but I found it.”
After months of build up, the Seattle Seahawks are less than 48 hours from being on the clock for their first pick of the NFL Draft, as long as they hold on to pick No. 32 in the first round.
Seahawks Draft: A mid-round edge rusher with elite length
While the offensive line has long been a need for the Seahawks in drafts, this year running back, edge rusher and cornerback are among their top positions of need.
Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard highlighted a pair of players who could help bolster the Seahawks’ edge group as he continued his draft profile series Tuesday during Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
In this edition of Huard’s draft profiles, he looked at Michigan edge rushers Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham, who also played on the same team together in high school at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.
Huard pointed to the connection head coach Mike Macdonald, a former Michigan defensive coordinator, and many members of his coaching staff have to the Michigan program.
“They know these guys, they know them inside and out,” Huard said. “They typically like they’re Michigan men, and these are two physical guys that have all the attributes you’re looking for on the edge.”
The high-floor pick
Moore is coming off a decorated four-year career at Michigan where he piled up 24.5 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, eight passes defended and three forced fumbles in 53 games.
This past season, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Moore totaled 10.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.
“I think this is a pretty fair quote about him: ‘Unselfish, well-rounded, high floor.’ Is he a high-ceiling guy? Not as much as Barham, but he’s a very high-floor guy,” Huard said.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Moore ranked as the No. 65 prospect in this years draft. ESPN has him ranked 60th.
“He is just your fierce, tough, edgy, productive (player),” Huard said. “He played in space a little bit more. They are field-boundary scheme at Michigan at times. He’s been more of the field rusher, more against your left tackle. And (he’s) just got more in the tool bag… He’s been a defensive end. He’s pretty well versed in it. He’s going to have a bigger tool bag, I think, than both Boye (Mafe) and Derrick Hall had, and he’s going to be a second, late-second-round (pick). Rugged, tough Michigan guy.”
The high-ceiling pick
Barham spent his first two college seasons at Maryland, which included earning Freshman All-American honors in 2022, and transferred to Michigan in 2024. He played linebacker at Maryland and in his first season at Michigan before making the move to edge for his final college season.
In 12 games at a new position in 2025, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Barham amassed 10 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
“Jaishawn Barham is a little bit more of a wild card, and one of the scouts that was quoted in some of the prep for this said he may bloom with the right coaching,” Huard said.
Huard recalled seeing Barham as a freshman at Maryland while he was doing color commentary for FOX and being in awe of how physically mature he already looked.
“I remember being on the field, as a freshman, looking at him going, ‘There’s just no way. There’s no way humanly possible that that guy played high school football the year before,’” Huard said.
Jeremiah has Barham ranked as the No. 77 prospect in the draft. ESPN has him ranked 88th.
“He is a higher ceiling guy you’re going to have to coach up,” Huard said. “He doesn’t come with years and years and years of experience on the edge.”
Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft coverage
• An under-the-radar Seattle Seahawks need Brock Huard sees
• NFL Draft: What – and who – Seahawks could get by trading back
• Why Hasselbeck says Seahawks are in great spot to trade back
• Seattle Seahawks open to trading top pick for bigger draft class
• A player Seahawks could trade for another draft pick
Seattle, WA
West Seattle Tool Library to host annual tool sale this Saturday, April 25 | The White Center Blog
The West Seattle Tool Library will host its annual tool sale this Saturday, April 25, offering hundreds of tools at discounted prices during its largest fundraiser of the year.
The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in West Seattle (map below), according to organizers.
Shoppers can expect a wide selection of items, including power drills, saws, hand tools and gardening equipment. Proceeds from the sale will support the nonprofit’s mission to provide community access to tools and hands on learning opportunities.
“It’s a fun day for everyone and a great way to support a local resource that empowers neighbors with tools and learning opportunities,” said Dale Becker, president of the West Seattle Tool Library board of directors.
Becker added that the sale also offers “a great chance to pick up tools at excellent prices, perfect for those starting a collection or simply adding to one.”
This year’s sale coincides with the Cooper Artist Garage Sale, creating an opportunity for visitors to explore multiple community events in one day.
Organizers said donations of working tools are still being accepted during regular library hours to support the fundraiser. The workshop will be closed from April 22 through April 26, and the Wednesday Fix It Workshop will be canceled. The workshop is scheduled to reopen April 28.
For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2059705868142923
About West Seattle Tool Library
The West Seattle Tool Library provides affordable access to a wide range of tools and educational resources, enabling community members to complete home, garden, and DIY projects while promoting sustainable reuse and a sense of community.
The West Seattle Tool Library is a local non-profit organization that provides affordable access to a wide range of tools and educational resources, enabling community members to complete home, garden, and DIY projects while promoting sustainable reuse and a sense of community.
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Ginn struggles early, settles in
On the mound tonight starting for the A’s was right-hander J.T. Ginn. He came into tonight on a mini roll, having put up two quality outings since getting inserted into the starting rotation.
Facing the Mariners for the very first time, Seattle greeted Ginn with two runs in the first, a solo homer off the bat of Cal Raleigh and an RBI double from first baseman Josh Naylor. They’d get Ginn for one more run in the second as well off another homer, this one coming courtesy of Dominic Canzone.
Those early-game struggles weren’t great, but Ginn was sent out for the third and finally had a shutdown inning, collecting three strikeouts in the third. The 26-year-old would go on to pitch all the way into the sixth without allowing another run and leaving with one out in the inning. He ended his night on a high note as well, getting Randy Arozarena to strike out swinging for his sixth K of the night.
- J.T. Ginn: 5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 HR, 92 pitches
Well it was a little dicey in the first two frames but Ginn did good to buckle himself down and provide his team with some extra innings. Mark Kotsay made a good call letting Ginn work his way back into this one, and his offense would pick him up later tonight.
Offense struggles early, comes on strong late
On the other side of the ball, the A’s lineup was facing M’s righty Emerson Hancock. For the first few innings the A’s did have much of an answer for the former top prospect, collecting just a pair of singles the first time through the order.
The second time through the order the A’s batters were able to start getting a better read on Hancock. Leading off the top of the fourth, tonight’s DH Carlos Cortes connected on a fastball high and in and drove it over the wall in right field to get the A’s on the board for the first time tonight:
That was #2 on the year for Cortes, who came through with a massive night while hitting in the #3 spot of the order. Mark Kotsay was right again tonight about batting him in such a big spot in the lineup.
The A’s were starting to make better contact but it took a couple more innings for the big ones to come. Now into the sixth and with the top of the lineup at the plate this was about as good an opportunity as the team could hope for. Well first baseman Nick Kurtz strode to the plate and connected on a fastball right down the middle for another solo shot to cut the lead to one:
The A’s didn’t have to wait long for that next run either. Shea Langeliers came up right behind Kurtz and blasted his own solo shot, swatting another hanging fastball down the pipe and depositing it over the wall in center:
Tie game. That was his 7th of the year. The A’s had Hancock’s number and the Mariners knew it. That third homer of the night chased Hancock from this contest. The Athletics kept up the pressure against the bullpen, loading the bases that very same frame but weren’t able to cash in and take the lead. And with Ginn soon departing as well, it was going to be down to the bullpens to determine who would win tonight.
Left-hander Hogan Harris relieved Ginn in the sixth and not only finished the frame but handled the seventh as well. It was a perfect outing for Harris; no hits, no walks, plus a pair of punchouts to boot. Tonight was his team-leading 13th appearance and he’s been everything the A’s could have hoped for in the early going.
Now into the eighth, the A’s finally broke through in a big way. A double, single, and walk loaded the bases with no outs and the team was cooking. Third baseman Max Muncy made sure to drive in at least one with a productive sac fly that gave the A’s their first lead of the night.
After that it was Lawrence Butler’s turn at the plate and he came through with the biggest hit of the game, a two-run single to push the A’s lead to three runs:
Now with a lead and some extra breathing room A’s fans could relax and enjoy the rest of the game. Or so we thought. The Mariners did not go down quietly in this one. Mark Leiter Jr. took over for the eighth and gave up a pair of hits with both reaching scoring position and just one out. He managed to pull a Houdini with a massive strikeout of Arozarena and a flyout to end the threat, but that was a close one.
Then it was Joel Kuhnel on for the ninth for his fourth save opportunity. The right-hander, who did not start the season with the big league club, got the first out but then a single and RBI double cut into the lead and woke us all back up. Now with the tying run at the plate Kuhnel needed to be nails. And he was, getting J.P. Crawford to pop out and Raleigh to fly out to end the game.
A’s win! A solid performance all around. The bats took some time to get going but they came through in a big way late. Three homers. Four players getting multiple hits. Carlos Cortes going 4-for-4. Then Ginn had some early struggles but did a good job of not letting it snowball and get out of hand. He really saved the bullpen by being able to pitch into the sixth. Speaking of the ‘pen, the three arms combined pitched nearly four innings, and while it got a little dicey at times they bent but didn’t break. Kuhnel is now 4-for-4 in save opportunities which leads the team. Do we finally have our closer? And who would have seen this coming?
We’re back in first place and we’ll have an opportunity to add to that lead tomorrow evening when these teams meet back up for the second game of the series. For the A’s they’ll send left-hander Jacob Lopez to the bump. It hasn’t been a smooth start to the season for the lefty and he’ll need to show more than he has up to this point if he wants to keep ahold of his spot in the rotation. Walks especially have been a major problem for him so far as he has 17 in 18 innings of work. Overall he’ll bring a 6.38 ERA into tomorrow’s contest.
As for Seattle, they’ll have veteran Luis Castillo getting the ball for them for the middle game. The 33-year-old right-hander has had a so-so start to his year. He had a disaster performance a couple starts ago, when he got shelled for seven runs. Before that he pitched six shutout innings in his first appearance, 3 2/3 with three runs allowed in his second, the blowup game, and most recently he tossed 5 1/3 with just one run allowed against the Padres. Hard to know which version of Castillo will show up tomorrow but the A’s will be ready. In his career against the Athletics he has a nice 3.02 ERA in nine starts, so we’ll be hoping to boost that number a bit tomorrow night.
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