NW Sports from the AP

WILLOW, Alaska (AP) — The nearly thousand-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race got underway yesterday in Alaska. The race crosses long stretches of unforgiving terrain, including two mountain ranges and the wind-lashed Bering Sea coast. The winner is expected in the old Gold Rush era town of Nome, on Alaska’s western coast, in about nine days.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Reggie Jackson scored 30 points in another big game against Portland, and the Detroit Pistons beat the Trail Blazers 123-103 last night. Jackson scored 40 points when Detroit beat Portland on Nov. 8, including 26 in the fourth quarter. He picked up right where he left off in Sunday’s rematch, scoring 11 points in the first quarter as the Pistons took a 30-16 lead.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Hisashi Iwakuma pitched two spotless innings in his first spring outing as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 7-3 yesterday. Korean slugger Dae-Ho Lee made his initial Mariners start as the designated hitter, walking and grounding out twice. Right-hander Nick Tepesch yielded three runs on four hits and two walks in two innings.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Fanendo Adi scored in the 79th minute and the defending champion Portland Timbers defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 yesterday in a rematch of last year’s MLS Cup final. All 20 MLS teams opened the league’s 21st season on Soccer yesterday. Portland kicked off the season by unveiling a championship banner hung in the rafters of the north end of Providence Park.