Date: 02/27/2013 05:29 AM
NW–SportsMinute/328
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) – Justin Smoak hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5. Franklin Gutierrez and Michael Saunders connected for consecutive one-out home runs in the third for the Mariners, who have hit 10 home runs in their first five games. Hisashi Iwakuma started for the Mariners and pitched a perfect inning before giving way to Joe Saunders, who gave up two runs on three hits in his only inning.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) – Kyle Chipchura scored twice and Mike Smith made 29 saves last night as the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. Antoine Vermette (AN’-twahn vuhr-MEHT’) and Mikkel Boedker (mih-KEHL’ BAHD’-kur) each added a goal and an assist for Phoenix, which was coming off back-to-back losses to Edmonton and Calgary over the weekend. Jason Garrison and Henrik Sedin (seh-DEEN’) replied for Vancouver, which got 18 saves from Cory Schneider.
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) – Seattle Sounders defender Marc Burch says the suspension he received for using a homophobic slur during a playoff game last season needed to be harsh. Burch spoke with reporters after practice yesterday for the first time since receiving a three-game suspension last November for using “unacceptable and offensive language.” Burch says he is now focused on proving that is not who he is. Burch also says he believes MLS will be the first league to accept an openly gay player.
MIAMI (AP) – LeBron James had 40 points and 16 assists, Dwyane Wade scored 39 and the Miami Heat pushed their winning streak to 12 games by outlasting the Sacramento Kings 141-129 in double overtime last night. Ray Allen added 21, Chris Bosh finished with 15 and Chris Andersen had 10 for the Heat, who remained six games clear of second-place Indiana in the Eastern Conference standings. Marcus Thornton scored 36 points for Sacramento, the most by any NBA reserve this season.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.