Category: Sport

TORONTO — Occasionally within the Seattle Mariners clubhouse, the “Prime Gun Anthem,” stuffed with hovering guitar notes and pick-me-up vibes, will randomly blast from inside a locker. Everybody is aware of the wrongdoer. Jorge Polanco, the Mariners’ veteran second baseman, is just not a fan of silencing his telephone.

“However he loves Maverick and Iceman,” Mariners star Cal Raleigh stated.

No person actually minds. When a participant is doing what Polanco has finished this postseason — rescuing the Mariners from the hazard zone seemingly each day, along with his newest trick a go-ahead three-run residence run that paved the way in which for Monday’s 10-3 victory — his ringtone might be Limp Bizkit and no person would utter a peep.

As an alternative, it’s the right soundtrack for this Mariners run, which at the moment sees them up two video games to none towards the Toronto Blue Jays within the American League Championship Collection. The “Prime Gun Anthem” is an epic ballad crammed with the kinds of ups and downs that personify a company that has spent 49 years alternating among the many desolation of mediocrity and the heartbreak of underachievement. The one crew in Main League Baseball to by no means to play in a World Collection, Seattle is 2 wins away from capturing its first American League pennant and is heading residence to T-Cellular Park for Sport 3.

The Mariners’ dominant place is largely because of a 32-year-old infielder whose feats have earned him the correct to be referred to as Iceman himself — and but that’s not the nickname Polanco wears nowadays.

“He’s George Bonds,” M’s catcher Mitch Garver stated.

Sure, Polanco’s alter ego is the anglicized model of his first identify and the surname of Main League Baseball’s all-time residence run chief. He earned it earlier this season, Garver stated, when “all the things he hit was 110 [mph] in a niche or over the fence. It was unbelievable.”

Significantly when contemplating that final winter, Polanco didn’t know whether or not he could be wholesome sufficient to maintain hitting main league pitching. Polanco, who had struggled for years with left knee points, underwent surgical procedure in October 2024 to restore his patellar tendon. A free agent, Polanco drew restricted curiosity available on the market and wound up re-signing with the Mariners for one 12 months and $7.75 million.

“It’s been a journey, man,” Polanco stated. “That’s the way in which I can put it. I wouldn’t say it’s been unhealthy. I wouldn’t say it’s been straightforward. I feel God simply ready me for this 12 months. I’ve been damage slightly bit, so yeah; however now we right here, and I’m glad to be again.

“You simply should have religion. You overcome. Come again stronger.”

Polanco’s energy has been on show all October. It first appeared within the second sport of Seattle’s division collection towards the Detroit Tigers when he hit two residence runs off ace Tarik Skubal, who’s about to win his second consecutive Cy Younger Award. It continued three video games later in a winner-takes-all Sport 5 when he lashed a single into proper subject within the fifteenth inning that superior the Mariners to their first ALCS since 2001. It didn’t cease there, with Polanco’s go-ahead single within the sixth inning of Sport 1 towards the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Then got here Monday’s fifth-inning blast off Toronto reliever Louis Varland, who fed a 98 mph fastball over the plate and watched it go away the bat at 105.2 mph, flying 400 ft to show a 3-3 tie right into a 6-3 Seattle lead.

“He’s all the time been a terrific hitter,” Mariners supervisor Dan Wilson stated. “His swing proper now may be very quick. That ball tonight, I wasn’t positive it was going to exit of the ballpark, however I feel he’s simply getting that form of spin on it proper now the place it stays up.”

That’s no accident. Polanco arrived within the main leagues with the Minnesota Twins in 2014 at age 20, a bat-to-ball savant whose capability to hit from either side of the plate carved him out an everyday position with the crew.

“He wasn’t George Bonds earlier than,” Garver stated. “He was Harry Potter. As a result of he was a wizard. He’d simply make hits seem.”

Polanco discovered energy 5 years into his profession, and he maxed out with 33 residence runs for the Twins in 2021. However the degradation of his knee sapped the juice in his bat and left him flailing too typically at pitches he’d have beforehand spit on. Final 12 months, in his first season with the Mariners, his numbers cratered, however the group appreciated Polanco’s even-keeled demeanor and believed fixing his knee would repair his swing too.

The Mariners have been proper. George Bonds was born throughout a ridiculous first month of the 2025 season when he whacked 9 homers in 80 plate appearances. Polanco had embraced the M’s ethos of pulling the ball within the air. Raleigh led MLB with a 1.594 OPS on balls pulled. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez was second at 1.497. Polanco hit 23 of his 26 residence runs this season to the pull aspect, and each of his homers off Skubal (hit from the correct aspect) and the one towards Varland (left) have been met in entrance of the plate and yanked over the fence.

“All through the years, I hated going to Minnesota simply solely due to him,” stated shortstop J.P. Crawford, the longest-tenured Mariner. “The man single-handedly beat us so many occasions. Everyone knows the kind of participant he’s when he’s wholesome, and it’s clearly exhibiting proper now.”

By no means within the sport’s 150-year historical past had a participant logged three consecutive game-winning hits after the fifth inning within the postseason. It’s the type of efficiency groups have to win pennants — and championships. As sensible as Raleigh has been in a could-be-MVP marketing campaign and as conflagrant as Julio Rodriguez was within the second half and as dominant as Seattle’s pitching has been en route so far, successful playoff baseball takes extra.

Like, say, a man who over the winter was an afterthought hitting cleanup and by no means wavering, even within the highest-leverage conditions.

“What’s most spectacular is bouncing again after a tough 12 months final 12 months,” stated Bryan Woo, who will begin Sport 3 on Wednesday towards Toronto’s Shane Bieber. “Particularly for a man on his second crew, again half of his profession. To do what he’s doing — get wholesome, come again, assist the crew like he has — is much more spectacular than simply enjoying good baseball.”

Enjoying good baseball helps too. Polanco has helped get Seattle in a spot that hardly a month in the past seemed unimaginable to conceive. From mid-August to early September, the Mariners misplaced 13 of 18, trailed Houston by 3½ video games within the AL West and held a half-game lead on Texas for the ultimate wild-card spot. From there, the Mariners went 17-4, gained the West, earned a first-round bye and charted a course for historical past.

They’re not there. And but even Polanco admitted that Mariners gamers can’t ignore the crew’s historical past and acknowledge what it will imply to get to the World Collection.

“Yeah, we give it some thought,” he stated. “We’ve heard it so much. We all know.”

The information hasn’t deterred them. Raleigh is raking. Rodriguez is slugging. Josh Naylor, who grew up in close by Mississauga, blasted a two-run residence run in Sport 2. And George Bonds has proven up in fashion, chilly as Iceman, cool as Maverick, completely joyful to eschew silent mode in favor of loud contact.

ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. made his “Monday Night time Soccer” debut and the consequence was every part the Atlanta Falcons may have wished.

Penix, together with unbelievable performances by operating again Bijan Robinson and vast receiver Drake London, led the Falcons to a 24-14 win over the Buffalo Payments at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Penix was 20-of-32 for 250 yards and a landing. Robinson had an 81-yard landing run as a part of 238 scrimmage yards, the second-highest single-game whole this season within the NFL. London had 10 catches for 158 yards and a landing.

The Falcons at the moment are 3-2, with the three victories over groups that had been within the playoffs final season: the Payments, Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings.

“It confirmed that we’re one of many ones,” Penix stated of Monday’s win. “This workforce is absolutely good. This workforce is absolutely legit.”

The Falcons haven’t made the playoffs nor had a profitable document since 2017.

“There is no such thing as a secret,” Falcons second-year coach Raheem Morris stated. “We wish to be a playoff group. We wish to have the ability to go compete in these varieties of video games and we performed one tonight and there’s going to be no secret. No person goes to shrink back from these moments. We’ve obtained to go do it, however these are the moments you need. These are the moments you attempt for.

“These are the belongings you dream about from a training standpoint, a enjoying standpoint, an possession standpoint — all of these issues we wish to be part of and I feel that was simply one thing that we wished to go on the market present tonight.”

Pretty much as good because the offense seemed, the protection might need been higher. The Falcons blitzed Payments quarterback Josh Allen continually — 71% of the time within the second half ­– and pressured him on 47.1% of his dropbacks, per ESPN Analysis. The Falcons lead the league in yards allowed per recreation (253.4) and are second within the NFL in yards gained per recreation (378.8).

Robinson got here in main the league in yards from scrimmage per recreation (146). He’s now solely the second participant to achieve 450 dashing yards and 300 receiving yards by way of 5 video games in NFL historical past, becoming a member of Thurman Thomas in 1991, per ESPN Analysis.

“He’s the most effective participant in soccer,” Morris stated of Robinson. “I’ve stated it a number of occasions, I can’t say it sufficient. You may at all times have your decide. You may at all times go on the market and determine who you wish to vote for, however in my view, he’s the most effective participant in soccer.”

Penix stated the Falcons’ offense nonetheless has but to indicate its potential. Atlanta led 21-7 at halftime and scored solely three factors within the second half.

“I really feel like we now have extra within the tank and for us to go on the market and win that soccer recreation with the second half like that, I really feel like we had a giant lull,” Penix stated. “I really feel like it’ll be a scary sight every time we determine it out and all play collectively and play a full recreation and never only one good half.”

ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. made all of the performs crucial in his “Monday Night time Soccer” debut and had loads of assist from operating again Bijan Robinson and extensive receiver Drake London en path to the Atlanta Falcons beating the Buffalo Payments 24-14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Penix, the second-year quarterback, was 20-of-32 for 250 yards passing and a landing. Robinson had 170 yards speeding, together with an 81-yard landing run, and one other 68 receiving. London had 10 catches for 158 yards and a landing. It was the second time Robinson and London every had 150 yards and a landing as teammates of their careers. They’re the one Falcons teammates to do it greater than as soon as because the 1970 merger, per ESPN Analysis.

Atlanta’s protection may need been even higher than its offense. The Falcons compelled the Payments into 4 three-and-outs, which was double Buffalo’s highest single-game whole of the season coming in, and sacked quarterback Josh Allen 4 occasions.

Listed below are a very powerful issues to know from Monday evening for each groups:

Is Robinson the main contender for NFL Offensive Participant of the 12 months? What Robinson has accomplished early this season is exceptional. The third-year operating again has extra yards from scrimmage by means of 5 video games than some other participant in Falcons historical past. His 138 speeding yards on the half had been essentially the most by any participant within the league after two quarters this season. Robinson got here into the sport main the league with 146 yards from scrimmage per recreation — after which put up 238 on Monday evening, the second-highest whole within the league this season. Robinson is the second participant to succeed in 450 speeding yards and 300 receiving yards by means of his first 5 video games of a season in NFL historical past, becoming a member of Thurman Thomas in 1991, in line with ESPN Analysis.

Development to observe: The Falcons had been with out two of their prime three extensive receivers in Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and Ray-Ray McCloud III (wholesome scratch). McCloud’s absence was a shock. It compelled the Falcons to rely closely on two talent gamers: Bijan Robinson and Drake London, who mixed for 89% of the group’s yardage within the first half and got here in with the best proportion of their group’s scrimmage yardage (57%) out of any duo within the NFL, in line with ESPN Analysis.

Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 yards within the first half had been their most earlier than halftime since 2009. For the primary time in Falcons franchise historical past, the group had a operating again and extensive receiver — Robinson and London, respectively — eclipse the 100-yard mark within the first half. — Marc Raimondi

Subsequent recreation: at San Francisco (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 19)

The frustration was seen from quarterback Josh Allen, who pushed his helmet to the bottom as he sat on the bench as soon as once more after failing to string collectively a drive in the midst of the fourth quarter.

The struggles persevered in Monday’s recreation at Atlanta because the Payments (4-2) suffered their second straight loss. Although the protection was sloppy and gave up too many yards, the offense didn’t benefit from alternatives. Within the first half, the Payments punted on 4 straight drives, and although they scored a landing on their first drive of the second half, the spark didn’t linger. They turned the ball over on downs, giving the Falcons the ball again at their 47-yard line. And even when the Payments blocked a area purpose try, the offense responded with back-to-back three-and-outs.

Allen completed the sport 15-for-26 (57.7%) with 180 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions and 4 sacks. He additionally rushed for 42 yards on six carries. Tight finish Dalton Kincaid (indirect) was inactive, and extensive receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) was injured within the first half and didn’t return. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady went away from operating again James Cook dinner III late within the recreation and didn’t use him on third downs regardless of Cook dinner speeding for 87 yards on 17 carries.

After beginning the season scoring 30-plus factors within the first 4 video games, the Payments’ offense has work to do.

Development to observe: Accidents. The Payments got here into this recreation with two starters — linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and tight finish Dalton Kincaid (indirect) — out due to accidents. Earlier than the sport, defensive deal with DaQuan Jones suffered a calf damage in warmups and was dominated out. Huge receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) left the sport within the first half, linebacker Terrel Bernard didn’t play within the second half due to an ankle damage, and security Cole Bishop missed time within the second half due to cramping, however returned within the fourth quarter. The Payments have a bye this coming week, and it couldn’t come at a greater time for much-needed relaxation.

Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 first-half yards had been essentially the most that the Payments have allowed earlier than halftime since 2001 (Week 2, at Indianapolis Colts). Missed tackles had been a serious theme for the Payments’ protection, particularly within the first half, however the unit adjusted properly within the second half. The Falcons had been held to eight web yards within the third quarter and 109 web yards within the fourth. — Alaina Getzenberg

Subsequent recreation: at Carolina (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 26)

Damage-hit France have been held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, whereas Germany received in Northern Eire with a Nick Woltemade objective and Belgium beat Wales to face on the point of a spot at subsequent 12 months’s finals.

France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, have been with out a host of gamers in Reykjavik together with captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, each out injured.

They fell behind to a Victor Palsson objective late within the first half, however Christopher Nkunku equalised simply after the hour mark.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave Les Bleus the lead halfway by means of the second half, getting his first senior worldwide objective on his first begin.

Nevertheless, Iceland have been again stage virtually from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran by means of unchallenged to make it 2-2.

France may have clinched qualification for subsequent 12 months’s match in North America with a win in Reykjavik mixed with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan on the identical time.

However whereas they have been dropping factors, Ukraine have been beating Azerbaijan 2-1 within the Polish metropolis of Krakow — Oleksiy Hutsuliak and Ruslan Malinovskiy scored for Ukraine both facet of a Vitaliy Mykolenko personal objective.

France are however three factors clear on the high of Group D with two video games remaining subsequent month, and a win at dwelling to second-placed Ukraine in Paris will wrap up high spot.

“We completely managed the sport. Iceland had two pictures on track and scored two targets,” France coach Didier Deschamps advised TFI.

“However we have now one other level on the board and subsequent month shall be decisive.”

Germany have now recorded three consecutive victories in Group A after starting their marketing campaign with a defeat in Slovakia final month.

Newcastle United ahead Woltemade headed in the one objective of the sport as Germany beat Northern Eire 1-0 in Belfast, and Julian Nagelsmann’s group are high of the group with 9 factors.

“It was a vital three factors for us,” Woltemade advised Germany’s RTL, including that “on this ambiance and in a little bit of an unpleasant sport, you must win and we did effectively”.

– Switzerland pressured to attend –

Slovakia sit second solely on objective distinction as they defeated Luxembourg 2-0 at dwelling, Adam Obert and Ivan Schranz scoring the targets within the second half.

The 12 group winners in European qualifying will go to the World Cup, with runners-up persevering with on to play-offs set for subsequent March — the assembly between Germany and Slovakia in Leipzig subsequent month will subsequently be decisive.

Belgium have virtually certified from Group J after Kevin De Bruyne transformed two penalties in a 4-2 win over Wales in Cardiff.

Joe Rodon had given Wales an early lead however De Bruyne’s spot-kick double got here both facet of a Thomas Meunier objective.

Nathan Broadhead pulled it again to 3-2, just for Leandro Trossard of Arsenal to seal Belgium’s victory on the dying.

Rudi Garcia’s Crimson Devils — who beat Wales 4-3 at dwelling in June — now know one win from their two video games subsequent month away to Kazakhstan and at dwelling to Liechtenstein will clinch high spot.

In the meantime, Wales should attempt to catch second-placed North Macedonia, who have been held 1-1 at dwelling by Kazakhstan on Monday with Enis Bardhi replying for the hosts after Dinmukhamed Karaman’s opener.

Switzerland may have certified from Group B with the best mixture of outcomes, however should wait till subsequent month after a 0-0 attract Slovenia.

The Swiss at the moment are solely three factors away from Kosovo, who beat Sweden 1-0 in Gothenburg because of a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.

Sweden’s marketing campaign has confirmed to be a catastrophe as they sit backside of the part with only one level regardless of having Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak beginning collectively up entrance — they’ve didn’t even rating of their final three matches.

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