NW–1st SportsMinute/487
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) – Alex Liddi hit the first grand slam of his career, and second grand slam ever by an Italian-born player, Kevin Millwood threw six shutout innings and the Seattle Mariners took two of three from division-leading Texas with a 5-3 win over the Rangers yesterday. Liddi made Texas manager Ron Washington pay for the decision to pitch around Dustin Ackley with one out in the fifth inning. Ackley was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Liddi then smacked his third home run of the season.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon State baseball team is home this weekend for its final three games of the regular season. The Beavers will host Oregon in a Civil War series that could decide the Pacific-12 championship. And, unless the Ducks sweep the Beavers, the series will also be a milestone one for Oregon State coach Pat Casey. The man who has led the Beavers since 1995 needs one victory to become the all-time winningest coach in Oregon State history.
SEATTLE (AP) – Justin Meram and Emilio Renteria scored to lead the Columbus Crew to a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders last night. Meram headed a left-footed cross from Dilly Duka for his third goal in the 15th minute. Renteria sealed the win for Columbus with a 30-yard chip over Seattle goalkeeper Bryan Meredith in the 76th minute for his first goal. The Sounders controlled play in the opening 20 minutes and final 10 of the first half, spending the majority of the half in Crew territory.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Aritz Aduriz scored in the 41st minute and La Liga side Valencia defeated the Portland Timbers 1-0 in an exhibition match last night. It was the first time Valencia played in the United States. The trip includes a match against the Houston Dynamo on May 31. The Timbers gave Scottish striker Kris Boyd the night off, along with captain Jack Jewsbury and defender Futty Danso. Goalkeeper Troy Perkins wore the captain’s armband.
NEW YORK (AP) – Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Allen Barbre was suspended for the first four regular-season games by the NFL yesterday for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances. Barbre is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games. Barbre played for Green Bay from 2007-09, and appeared in three games for Seattle in 2010 and four last season.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – University of Portland men’s basketball coach Eric Reveno has named Colin Pfaff to his staff as an assistant. Pfaff spent two seasons as the team’s director of basketball operations, a job in which he handled travel, managed the exchange of game film, assisted with academic support and coordinated Pilot basketball camps. Before arriving in Portland, Pfaff coached three years at the junior college level and spent two years as director of basketball operations at Cal State Fullerton.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.