NW–SportsMinute/336
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) – Jack Hannahan hit a two-run single in the ninth inning off closer Brandon League and the Cleveland Indians rallied for a 2-1 victory over Seattle that cost Mariners ace Felix Hernandez a win after his dominant outing last night. Hernandez struck out 12 and walked one. He allowed five hits, three in the eighth inning, but ended up with a no-decision. Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin just about matched Hernandez pitch for pitch. Tomlin tossed eight innings, yielding one run and five hits.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland Trail Blazers President Larry Miller says the team has not reached out to the Los Angeles Lakers for permission to talk to general manager Mitch Kupchak. Miller wouldn’t comment specifically on an ESPN report yesterday that the Blazers are interested in interviewing Kupchak about the general manager’s job in Portland. The team does not want to name potential candidates. The Blazers are currently operating under interim general manager Chad Buchanan.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Oregon football coach Chip Kelly says he believes a media report estimating that between 40 percent and 60 percent of his players use marijuana is inaccurate. Kelly addressed the story in ESPN The Magazine yesterday after practice. The report is based on interviews with 19 current or former Oregon players and officials. Kelly said he doubts the Ducks would be as successful as they have been in recent years if that many players were smoking pot. Oregon is 34-6 under Kelly.
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) – The Portland Timbers have opened a new $6 million team training center that includes a turf field for public use. The Adidas Timbers Training Center, which also features a natural grass field exclusively for the team and a 6,000 square-foot indoor facility, is part of a 10-year partnership with the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. The Timbers practiced for the first time at the training center yesterday, about a 10-minute drive from Jeld-Wen Field – the team’s Portland home.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.