Northwest Sports: In the Morning

Mariners blow a five-run lead, lose 8-7...
Other than that four-run third inning, the M's didn't do anything right, writes Geoff Baker.

The M's just can't seem to solve the Orioles, writes John Hickey.

Opposing pitchers have noticed the M's early season patience-fest and are now attacking them early in the count, writes Baker.

The M's should use Jeff Clement and Kenji Johjima in a catcher/DH platoon, writes John McGrath.

McLaren got ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the 7th.

More Clay Bennett emails...
These emails, excerpted by Jim Brunner, reveal that the NBA was worried McClendon's comments might've breached the sale agreement with Schultz. Also that Bennett says "Seattle has the most inept and difficult sports media of any major market." Well, when you don't own the only local newspaper, yeah, you sometimes get a little more criticism.

NFL Draft tomorrow!!
The Seahawks will draft the best player available. "We just don't feel hostage to any position," Tim Ruskell tells Clare Farnsworth.

The fact that Jim Mora is taking over as coach next year will have no impact on who the Hawks draft, writes Jose Miguel Romero.

With Rocky Bernard's arrest, suddenly the Hawks are in the market for a defensive tackle, writes Frank Hughes.

In other news...
Now an assistant coach has left the UW women's hoops program--this in addition to the five players who've jumped ship since the end of the year.

Husky center Juan Garcia will wait a month to have surgery in hopes that his injured foot will miraculously heal. If it doesn't (and it probably won't), his college career is over.

OSU kicker Alexis Serna, who hopes to catch on with an NFL team in training camp, is currently doing oil changes at a car dealership in Corvallis while he waits for a call, writes Aaron Fentress.