Date: 07/10/2012 05:40 AM
NW–SportsMinute/274
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – While speculation swirls about the Trail Blazers’ moves in free agency, the team is welcoming its three recent draft picks to Portland. Guards Damian Lillard and Will Barton and center Meyers Leonard were introduced at a press conference Monday afternoon at the city’s Children’s Museum. Later, the trio was going to tour the team’s facilities. The draft picks are the first step of a rebuilding effort by the Blazers, who went 28-38 last season and out of the playoffs.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – John Spencer, the affable coach of the Portland Timbers who helped prepare the team for the jump to Major League Soccer last season, has been fired. Team owner Merritt Pauslon announced the firing on Monday. The Timbers, coming off a 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake on Saturday, are 5-8-4 and in next-to-last place in the league’s Western Conference, with no road wins. General manager Gavin Wilkinson will coach the team for the remainder of the year.
(Stations: Please note additional sports item of general interest, below.)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Detroit’s Prince Fielder became only the second player to win multiple titles in the All-Star Home Run Derby, thrilling the crowd at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium with eight splash shots into the right-field fountain and beating Toronto’s Jose Bautista 12-7 in the final last night. Fielder hit a total of 28 home runs over three rounds to cap the main event. The 83rd annual All-Star Game, pitting the National League against the American League, is set for tonight at 5 PDT.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
