Date: 09/25/2013 04:59 AM
AP-NW–SportsMinute/390
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) – Justin Smoak hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning and the Seattle Mariners beat Kansas City 4-0 last night, putting the Royals’ postseason hopes in serious jeopardy. Mariners rookie left-hander James Paxton, making just his fourth major league start, worked a career-high seven innings, allowing four hits, walking none and striking out a career-high 10. It was the 13th shutout for the Mariners and the ninth time the Royals have been shut out.
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) – California coach Sonny Dykes sees a lot of similarities between the Golden Bears’ offense and the one being run by No. 2 Oregon. There is just one striking difference between the two teams. The high-scoring Ducks are backed by a defense that has allowed only three touchdowns all season, leading to a trio of blowout victories. The Bears will try to prevent another one when they face the Ducks at Autzen Stadium on Saturday night.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Coach Mike Leach is best known as on offensive guru but Washington State has jumped to a 3-1 record this season largely on the strength of its defense. That’s no surprise to cornerback Nolan Washington. He says the Cougars set a goal this season of being a Top 10 defense in the nation. A 42-0 shutout of Idaho last weekend showed the Cougars are on the right track as they prepare to face No. 5 Stanford on Saturday. It was Washington State’s first shutout since the 2003 season.
UNDATED (AP) – Last season they were Team Turnaround. This season they’re the Bounce-back Beavers. Oregon State was stunned in the season opener by lower-tier Eastern Washington but since then the team has reeled off three straight wins. The latest two victories, against Utah and San Diego State, were late-game comebacks. The Beavers host Colorado on Saturday.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – A sophomore guard from Oregon has left the University of Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball program. Coach Rusty Osborne says John Erickson was to have redshirted this year, but has left the Seawolves program effective immediately. Erickson averaged 1.2 points a game last year as a reserve. Osborne said after visiting with Erickson and his parents, it was determined it was in his best interest to return home to Sisters, Ore.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
