Choo drives in 5 to power Indians
SEATTLE (AP) - Shin-Soo Choo drove in five runs with a
bases-loaded double and a two-run home run to give the Cleveland
Indians a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.
Choo, traded to the Indians by Seattle in 2006, hit a 3-1
fastball from Doug Fister (4-11) against the right-center-field
wall in the Indians' four-run sixth to score all three runners
without a throw.
He added his two-run shot in the ninth to match his season-high
for RBIs. Choo had five RBIs against the Chicago White Sox on April
18.
Choo leads Cleveland in home runs (16) and RBI (68).
Asdrubal Cabrera had three hits for the Indians.
Josh Tomlin (3-3) allowed seven hits, three runs, struck out
five and walked none. Chris Perez worked the ninth to pick up his
17th save.
You can hear game two of the series Friday on AM930 KBAI.
Air-time Friday at 6pm with the pre-game Show.
Raiders beat Seahawks 27-24 in exhibition finale
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Bruce Gradkowski threw two touchdown
passes in the first quarter and the Oakland Raiders mostly used
backups to end the preseason with a 27-24 victory over the Seattle
Seahawks on Thursday night.
Kyle Boller also threw a touchdown pass and Swayze Waters kicked
two field goals for the Raiders (3-1), who were more focused on
staying healthy than winning their final exhibition game.
Charlie Whitehurst threw a touchdown pass and former Raider
Louis Rankin scored on a 99-yard kickoff return for the Seahawks
(1-3), who came out with the same strategy as Oakland. Olindo Mare
kicked three field goals for Seattle.
Gradkowski started in place of Jason Campbell, who was knocked
out of last week's game against San Francisco because of a stinger
and a sore right wrist. Campbell was on the sideline and not in
uniform as Gradkowski led Oakland to its third opening-drive
touchdown in three weeks.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
MVP Jackson leads Storm past Mercury in Game 1
SEATTLE (AP) - Lauren Jackson had 23 points and 17 rebounds to
lead the Seattle Storm to an 82-74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury
on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
Jackson, who won her third WNBA MVP award before the game, set a
team playoff record for rebounds.
Svetlana Abrosimova added 16 points for the Storm, Le'Coe
Willingham had 10, and Sue Bird handed out 10 assists in Seattle's
19th straight home win.
Penny Taylor scored 16 points and Candice Dupree added 15 for
the Mercury. Diana Taurasi, who averaged 22.6 points during the
regular season, scored nine on 2-of-15 shooting.
Game 2 of the best-of-3 series is Sunday at Phoenix.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Seattle's Lauren Jackson selected MVP for third time
SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson has been
selected the WNBA's most valuable player for the third time in her
career.
Jackson was honored Thursday night before Game 1 of Seattle's
best-of-3 Western Conference final against defending champion
Phoenix.
The Storm's Brian Agler was honored as the league's coach of the
year.
Jackson is a 6-foot-5 forward from Australia who averaged 20.5
points and 8.3 rebounds while helping the Storm to a 28-6 record --
tying the record for the most wins in a season.
The storm selected Jackson with the first overall pick in the
2001 draft. She was previously league MVP in 2003 and 2007.
She joins Sheryl Swoopes (2000, '02, '05) and Lisa Leslie (2001,
'04, '06) as the only three-time selections.
Local prep football kicks off Friday
The Friday night lights of high school football return to Whatcom County
with 10 teams in action. Two marquee match-ups are on the radio Friday.
The Squalicum Storm visit the Ferndale Golden Eagles on KPUG and
www.kpug1170.com while the Mt. Baker Mountainers play host to Meridian
on KGMI and www.kgmi.com. Both games kick-off at 7pm with 6:35pm
pre-game shows.
The rest of Friday's schedule look's like this:
Lynden Christian at Sehome
Notre Dame BC at Blaine
Centenial at Lynden
Bellingham at South Whidbey
Mt. Vernon at Anacortes
Burlington at Sedro-Woolley
Lummi at Neah Bay
Nooksack Valley opens their season Saturday at Qwest Field
versus Cascade Christian at 12pm. You can hear it on KPUG.
Click here for our team preview interviews and our broadcast schedule.
New-look Cowboys open against Washington State
By JEFF LATZKE
AP College Football Writer
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - After spending five years building his
program at Oklahoma State, Mike Gundy is all but starting over.
He has a new quarterback to lead an offense with four new
starters on the front line. On the defensive side, eight of the 11
players from last year's starting lineup have been replaced heading
into the season opener Saturday night at home against Washington
State.
What hasn't changed is the level of expectations.
Starting quarterback Brandon Weeden says the Cowboys won nine
games last year and want to win just as many, or more, in 2010. It
all starts against a Cougars team trying to leap forward after
winning a total of three games in Paul Wulff's first two seasons as
head coach.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Nevada beats Eastern Washington 49-24
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Colin Kaepernick passed for 306 yards and two
touchdowns and rushed for two others as Nevada beat Eastern
Washington 49-24 on Thursday.
Kaepernick completed 26 of 37 passes and added 60 yards rushing
for the Wolf Pack (1-0).
Taiwan Jones rushed for 145 yards and had 92 yards receiving,
including an 82-yard touchdown reception for the Eagles (0-1).
Nevada led from the opening drive and sealed the victory when
Vai Taua plunged in from 3 yards out with 9:17 left in the game to
make it 42-24.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Search continues for climber in North Cascades
MARBLEMOUNT, Wash. (AP) - The search continues Friday for a
climber missing in North Cascades National Park.
John Arum was reported overdue Monday after failing to return
from a solo weekend trip on Storm King mountain, about 70 miles
northeast of Seattle. He's a 49-year-old Seattle environmental
lawyer and son of boxing promoter Bob Arum.
Searchers found John Arum's backpack Wednesday at the 7,300-foot
level of the 8,500-foot mountain. It appears the backpack was
intentionally left behind and climbing gear removed.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Funeral set for teen motorcycle racer Lenz
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - A funeral Mass for a 13-year-old
motorcycle racer killed last weekend in Indianapolis is scheduled
for Friday morning at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancouver.
The Rev. Gary Lazzeroni says there also is a vigil and memorial
for Peter Lenz planned for Thursday night at the church.
The Vancouver boy died Sunday after he fell off his motorcycle
during a warm-up lap and was run over by a 12-year-old rider from
Flushing, N.Y. Lenz is the youngest driver or rider to be killed at
the 101-year-old Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Autopsy results released Monday confirmed Lenz died of multiple
blunt force trauma.
The U.S. Grand Prix Racers Union has promised a review of its
motorcycle racing safety rules
Western opens season with win at Chico State
CHICO, Calif- Senior forward Claire Morgan scored the
winning goal in the 106th minute as Western Washington
University edged Chico State University women's soccer
game Thursday at University Soccer Stadium.
Western is at Cal State Stanisiaus on Saturday before returning
for its home opener Monday at 12-noon against Humbold State
at Orca Field on the campus of Whatcom Community College.
wwuvikings.com
Seattle RHP Shawn Kelley gets good surgery news
SEATTLE (AP) - Mariners right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley
received good news during exploratory elbow surgery and does not
need to undergo a full Tommy John ligament replacement operation.
Seattle interim manager Daren Brown says Tuesday that Kelley's
surgery showed the ligament in his right elbow that was previously
repaired was fine, but there was some fraying and wearing at
another spot. That damage was fixed.
Brown says Kelley can start his rehabilitation Thursday and
could be throwing in four months.
Kelley was placed on the disabled list June 25 with right elbow
inflammation. Before his injury, Kelley 3-1 with a 3.96 ERA in 22
appearances.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Sounders advance to US Open Cup final
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) - Nate Jaqua scored twice, Fredy Montero
added a goal and the defending U.S. Open Cup champion Seattle
Sounders advanced to the title game with a 3-1 victory over Chivas
USA on Wednesday night.
Jaqua scored in the 10th minute and again in second-half
stoppage time, and Montero connected in the 58th minute. Jaqua has
five goals in Seattle's three Open Cup games.
Steve Zakuani set up the first two goals with perfectly placed
crosses from the left side into goalkeeper Zach Thornton's 6-yard
box.
Jesus Padilla scored for Chivas USA in the 68th minute.
The Sounders will face the Columbus Crew in the championship
game Oct. 5 at Qwest Field. Columbus beat D.C. United 2-1 in the
other semifinal.
Last year in the final, the Sounders beat United 2-1.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Montana picks up former Washington TE Middleton
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A tight end who was dismissed from the
University of Washington for a violation of team rules has joined
the University of Montana football team.
Kavario Middleton practiced with the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Middleton, a junior, caught 26 passes for 257 yards and three
touchdowns in 2009 and was slated to start for the Huskies this
year. But he was dismissed from the team in July for what The
Seattle Times reported was a failed drug test.
Middleton tried to transfer to Nebraska, but he told the Lincoln
Journal-Star on Aug. 23 that he was going to have to play elsewhere
because of academic and admission hold-ups.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Zags welcome BYU to conference
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Gonzaga coach Mark Few is welcoming the
addition of a strong Brigham Young basketball program to the West
Coast Conference.
On Tuesday, BYU announced it would play as an independent in
football and join the low-profile WCC, which Gonzaga has dominated
for more than a decade, in other sports.
Few said BYU is a quality basketball program that has appeared
in the Top 25 and many NCAA tournaments. He said it is positive for
the league to add the Cougars next year.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
49ers' Davis, Crabtree in altercation
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Mike Singletary had to separate tight
end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree after the
players got into a heated discussion at practice Wednesday.
Singletary says the issue was non-football related and is
closed. He met with both players.
Neither Crabtree nor Davis has played this preseason because of
injuries and Singletary ruled out Davis for Thursday night's
preseason finale against San Diego.
Crabtree's status is uncertain. The second-year receiver is
nursing a neck injury and hasn't addressed it or spoken formally
since the start of camp Aug. 1, declining multiple media requests.
Yet the 49ers' website posted a lengthy story quoting him Tuesday
afternoon.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Seattle restructures contract of LB Leroy Hill
By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - Linebacker Leroy Hill is taking a major pay
cut to play for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
Hill, who is facing a one-game suspension for off-the-field
issues, will have a base salary of $2.125 million for this season
according to the NFL Players Association web site. Hill was
previously scheduled to make $6 million in 2010 as part of a
six-year deal Hill signed in April 2009 that could have been worth
$38 million.
As part of the restructuring, the remaining years on Hill's
contract have been wiped out, making him a free agent following
this season.
Seattle general manager John Schneider says both sides were
"working toward a solution" following Hill's off-the-field
problems that included a marijuana-possession charge in Georgia and
a domestic-violence arrest in the Seattle area.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Seattle sends CB Wilson to Baltimore
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The Seattle Seahawks have traded starting
cornerback Josh Wilson to the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional
2011 draft pick.
The move came just as the Seahawks were wrapping up practice on
Tuesday, a practice that Wilson participated in.
Wilson spent his first three seasons with the Seahawks after
being a second-round pick out of Maryland in 2007. Wilson started
23 of 28 games the last two seasons and took both of his
interceptions a year ago back for touchdowns.
Wilson has also been a standout on special teams, averaging 27
and 25 yards per kickoff return his first two years in the league.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Seattle acquires OL Polumbus from Detroit
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The Seattle Seahawks have acquired
offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus from Detroit in exchange for a
conditional 2012 draft pick.
Polumbus arrived at Seahawks headquarters Tuesday afternoon and
went through practice with the team.
Polumbus started eight games last year for Denver. He was picked
up off waivers by the Lions just six days ago.
In Seattle, Polumbus is reunited with offensive coordinator
Jeremy Bates, who Polumbus played under in Denver two seasons ago.
To get to the 75-man roster limit, the Seahawks played defensive
back Josh Pinkard on the non-football injury reserve list.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Seattle looking for big plays from Earl Thomas
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - In full pads, it took Seattle rookie safety
Earl Thomas less than 10 seconds to take an interception back 86
yards for a touchdown against Minnesota last week.
And that included some Deion Sanders-esque high-stepping the
last couple of yards.
Maybe those claims of Thomas coming out of Texas with 4.3-second
40-yard speed weren't so outlandish.
The Seahawks are hoping Thomas' return against the Vikings is a
sign of a defense able to create more big plays after just giving
them up a year ago and ranking 22nd in the NFL in interceptions.
Huskies' high expectations start at BYU
By GREGG BELL
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) - So much for all the fuss around Washington about
having to play in the breath-zapping elevation at Brigham Young.
To hear coach - and former BYU star quarterback - Steve
Sarkisian tell it, the elevation of 4,500-plus feet in Provo, Utah,
is the perfect place for his Huskies to begin their season of
soaring expectations.
He said Monday, five days before Washington's season opens at
BYU amid the Wasatch Mountains, that "the sky's always the limit"
and that "nothing should ever hold anyone back."
He was talking about the expectations he has for Jake Locker,
Washington's senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate.
But Sarkisian could have been talking about how Washington seems
to be on the cusp of a revival, and its first bowl game since 2002.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
NCAA denies Jeremiah Masoli's waiver to play in 2010
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - The NCAA has denied Mississippi quarterback
Jeremiah Masoli's request for a waiver that would allow him to play
immediately, meaning he won't be eligible until 2011.
The school has announced plans to the appeal the ruling, with a
response expected in less than a week.
Masoli transferred from Oregon to Mississippi after being kicked
off Oregon's team following two run-ins with police.
The senior has already completed his undergraduate degree, and
enrolled in Mississippi's Parks and Recreation graduate program.
The NCAA will sometimes waive a one-year residency requirement
for athletes who are transferring, but also enrolling in a graduate
program not offered at the previous school.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Seahawks cut 4 to get to 75-man limit
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The Seattle Seahawks have waived injured
defensive tackle Jonathan Lewis and cut four others to reach the
NFL mandated 75-man roster limit.
The Seahawks made the moves on Monday.
Along with Lewis, Seattle waived defensive end Ricky Foley, wide
receiver Kole Heckendorf, offensive guard Gregg Peat and kicker
Clint Stitser. Foley led the Canadian Football League in sacks last
season with 12 playing for the B.C. Lions.
Lewis broke his thumb in Saturday's preseason loss to Minnesota.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Bells’ Fassold Named First Team All-WCL
Bellingham Bells starting pitcher Cody Fassold was
selected to the All-West Coast League First Team after
going 4-1 with a 1.75 ERA during the 2010 season. WCL President
Ken Wilson announced the All-WCL teams Monday, August 30,
following a league-wide vote by head coaches.
“We are extremely proud of Cody and everything he accomplished
both on and off the field this summer with the Bells,” Bellingham
general manager Justin Stottlemyre said. “Cody quickly rose to the
top of our rotation and fixed himself among the league leaders in
strikeouts and earned run average.”
Fassold joined the Bells pitching staff after helping Lewis-Clark
State College to a 48-5 record. With the Warriors, Fassold was 6-0
with a 3.14 ERA. No stranger to the WCL, Fassold was an All-WCL
honorable mention in 2008 as a member of the Wenatchee Applesox
following his freshman campaign at Lower Columbia College.
Along with Fassold first team nod, Bellingham’s James Wise, Cordell
Greene, Ben Ruff, and Chris Sturdivant earned All-WCL honorable mention.
(www.bellinghambells.com)
Rangers extend links with 3 farm clubs
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers have extended their
relationships with three of their five farm clubs.
The Rangers agreed to a four-year extension with Double-A Frisco
of the Texas League that will extend through the 2014 season.
They've also extended their affiliations for two years with Low-A
Hickory, N.C., of the South Atlantic League and Short Season A
Spokane, Wash., of the Northwest League.
Those affiliations will extend through 2012.
Still unresolved is the future of Triple-A Oklahoma City of the
Pacific Coast League and High-A Bakersfield of the California
League in the Texas farm system.
