Northwest Sports Roundup: Mariners Sweep Astros, Kraken Eliminated, Storm Re-Sign Star

Seattle teams see mixed results as MLB and WNBA seasons heat up

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:04am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down a baseball game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes and dynamic sporting movements.A cubist, geometric interpretation of the Mariners' series sweep over the Astros, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the matchup.San Diego Today

The Seattle Mariners completed a dominant four-game series sweep of the Houston Astros, with Josh Naylor hitting two home runs in the finale. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken were officially eliminated from NHL playoff contention, marking their third straight year missing the postseason. In WNBA news, the Seattle Storm re-signed star center Ezi Magbegor to a record-breaking three-year contract.

Why it matters

The Mariners' series win over the Astros keeps them in the hunt in the AL West, while the Kraken's continued playoff struggles raise questions about the franchise's direction. The Storm's move to retain Magbegor is a bright spot amid an otherwise tumultuous free agency period for the team.

The details

The Mariners capped off their series sweep of the Astros with a 6-2 win on Monday, powered by Josh Naylor's two home runs. Pitcher George Kirby threw nearly eight innings of two-run ball to complete the victory. The Kraken were officially eliminated from NHL playoff contention over the weekend, despite beating the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Saturday. The Storm announced they have re-signed center Ezi Magbegor to a three-year, $3.75 million contract, the richest deal in WNBA history.

  • The Mariners' series sweep of the Astros took place from April 10-13, 2026.
  • The Kraken were eliminated from playoff contention on April 8, 2026.
  • The Storm re-signed Ezi Magbegor on April 12, 2026.

The players

Josh Naylor

A Seattle Mariners outfielder who hit two home runs in the team's series-clinching win over the Houston Astros.

George Kirby

A Seattle Mariners pitcher who threw nearly eight innings of two-run ball to complete the team's series sweep of the Astros.

Ezi Magbegor

An All-Defensive center for the Seattle Storm who was re-signed to a record-breaking three-year, $3.75 million contract.

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What they’re saying

“We must keep this momentum going as we head into the next series. The Astros are a tough team, but we proved we can compete with the best in the league.”

— Josh Naylor, Seattle Mariners Outfielder

“It's disappointing to miss the playoffs again, but we'll use this as motivation to come back stronger next season.”

— Jordan Eberle, Seattle Kraken Captain

“Ezi is the heart and soul of our team, and we're thrilled to have her locked up long-term. She's only going to get better, and we can't wait to see what she accomplishes in the years ahead.”

— Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm Head Coach

What’s next

The Mariners will look to continue their hot streak when they hit the road for a three-game series in San Diego starting on April 14. The Kraken will play their final home game of the season against the LA Kings on April 13.

The takeaway

The Mariners' series sweep of the Astros shows they are a force to be reckoned with in the AL West, while the Kraken's continued playoff struggles raise concerns about the franchise's direction. The Storm's re-signing of Magbegor provides a bright spot for Seattle sports fans amid an otherwise tumultuous offseason.