Date: 02/20/2013 05:29 AM
NW–SportsMinute/382
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Goran Dragic (GOHR’-uhn DRAH’-gitch) had 16 points and a career-high 18 assists as the Phoenix Suns snapped a four-game losing streak with a 102-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers last night. Wesley Johnson came off the bench to score a season-high 14 points for the Suns, who led by as many as 19 points and survived a late Portland rally. J.J. Hickson had 25 points and 16 rebounds for his 28th double-double of the season for the Blazers, who lost their sixth straight game.
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) – It’s Michael, not Mike Morse. That’s one of the things that has changed since the last time Morse was a member of the Seattle Mariners more than three years ago. And there’s more. His annual income went from the $407,000 he was making when he was traded from the Mariners to the Washington Nationals in 2009 to the $6.75 million in base salary he’ll make in 2013. Morse is also bigger, some 30 pounds bulkier. He has found a position, corner outfield, after being a utility player in his first go-round with the Mariners. He’s in the starting nine and is expected to be a major key to improving the Mariners’ offense.
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) – The Seattle Sounders have acquired seven-time MLS all-star Shalrie Joseph in a trade with Chivas USA. The teams completed the trade yesterday. Joseph will occupy a designated player slot on the Sounders roster. Seattle also acquired two future draft picks and a higher allocation spot in the trade. Joseph is a 10-year veteran of the MLS, spending most of his career with New England before a trade to Chivas last season. Joseph has been named to the MLS Best XI team four times.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The Portland Timbers have signed French defender Mikael Silvestre, an English Premier League veteran who played for both Manchester United and Arsenal. Timbers owner Merritt Paulson announced the signing. Silvestre recently had preseason trials with both Portland and the Seattle Sounders. The 35-year-old has played the past three seasons with Werder Bremen of the German Bundesliga. He played for Manchester United from 1999-2008 before two seasons with Arsenal.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.