Date: 10/02/2012 05:29 AM
NW–SportsMinute/423
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) – Mike Trout had four hits and drove in three runs in Los Angeles’ 8-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners last night but it was not enough to keep the Angels in the playoff chase. The Angels, with a high payroll and high expectations as the season started, were eliminated from the wild-card race after the Oakland Athletics’ 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers yesterday.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – General manager Neil Olshey prefers the term “emerging” rather than “rebuilding” when it comes to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers finished last season 28-38 and out of the playoffs for the first time in four years. They fired coach Nate McMillan and let go of some of their more veteran players. The Blazers open training camp today with a new general manager, a new head coach and a group of promising young players as they seek to move forward from last season’s turbulence.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Despite the continued struggles of the Seattle Seahawks offense and the worst passing game in the NFL, coach Pete Carroll is not ready to make a switch from rookie Russell Wilson at quarterback. Any decision to perhaps go to backup Matt Flynn is also complicated by the Seahawks being unsure whether a sore elbow that limited Flynn at the end of the preseason would be fully able to handle the starter’s workload. Carroll says Wilson remains the Seahawks’ best option.
SEATTLE (AP) – After beating Stanford for the first time in four seasons, the Washington Huskies are looking toward getting another monkey off their backs: No. 2 Oregon. Washington moved into the AP poll at No. 23 after a 17-13 win over the then-No. 8 Cardinal on Thursday. Washington’s defense showed a tenacity that has been missing for the better part of the last decade in the win, holding Stanford’s power rushing attack to just 65 yards a week after the Cardinal ran for 202 yards in a win over USC.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Washington State coach Mike Leach says his team improved during last weekend’s 51-26 loss to No. 2 Oregon compared to some earlier games. Leach said yesterday he was proud of the effort the Cougars showed all game against the Ducks. He says the game was closer than the final score, and the outcome rested on a handful of key plays. Leach says Connor Halliday is likely to start at quarterback again when Washington State travels to No. 14 Oregon State this weekend.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
