Date: 08/15/2013 04:59 AM
AP-NW–SportsMinute/473
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Jason Bourgeois hit an RBI single to cap Tampa Bay’s two-run rally in the ninth inning and the Rays ended a six-game losing streak, beating the Seattle Mariners 5-4 last night. The Rays trailed 4-3 when Ben Zobrist opened the ninth with a triple off the top of the right-field wall against rookie Danny Farquhar. Matt Joyce singled to tie it, Evan Longoria doubled and Will Myers was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Bourgeois singled to right.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Seattle’s big free agent signing along the defensive line was back on the practice field yesterday for the first time. Cliff Avril only participated in individual drills, but coach Pete Carroll was hopeful Avril might make it through a full practice today. Even so, it’s unlikely he would play on Saturday when the Seahawks host Denver in their second preseason game.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Chip Kelly may have left the Ducks to try his breakneck offense in the NFL, but he left Oregon in great shape. The Ducks, who finished last season ranked No. 2 in the final AP Top 25, shouldn’t stagnate under coach Mark Helfrich, the team’s offensive coordinator who is obviously acquainted with the speedy spread-option. Oregon finished 12-1 last season.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – While coach Mike Riley had an inkling last season’s Oregon State Beavers were better than they were billed, this season he’s more pragmatic about the team. He says he thinks last season’s team learned what it takes to win games. Oregon State went from 3-9 in 2011 to a 9-4 finish last season. The six-game turnaround is the best in school history.
SEATTLE (AP) – In some fashion, Keith Price and his teammates have been reminded every day of what 2012 could have been for Washington. The reminders showed how the Huskies were so close to taking that next step in the progression most expected when Steve Sarkisian took over, finally leaving behind the seven-win plateau, only to lose the final two games of last season by five total points to again finish 7-6. Washington begins 2013 with the expectation that seven wins is no longer enough.
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) – Washington State hasn’t had a winning season in nine years, the longest streak of futility in team history. The Cougars are counting on second-year coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense to end that by improving on last year’s 3-9 record. A veteran quarterback in Connor Halliday and a deep receiver corps will help, but a better offensive line is key to hopes of success. Last year, the Cougars allowed 57 sacks, the most in the nation, while gaining only 349 yards rushing, last in the nation.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.