AP-NW–Sports Right Now/611
NUGGETS-TRAIL BLAZERS
Playoff destination sealed, Blazers beat Nuggets 107-99
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard had 21 points before sitting in the final quarter and the Portland Trail Blazers, with their playoff fate sealed earlier Wednesday night, defeated the Denver Nuggets 107-99.
CJ McCollum added 17 points for the Blazers, who led by as many as 18 points in the final quarter despite putting all of their starters on the bench.
The Trail Blazers were assured of the fifth seed in the Western Conference by virtue of Dallas’ 96-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Blazers will face the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs.
The fans roared at the Moda Center when the result was announced. Guard C.J. McCollum addressed the crowd before tipoff: “When they doubted us, you didn’t. So thank you.”
He punctuated the sentiment: “Let’s get ready for the playoffs!”
Emmanuel Mudiay finished with 25 points to lead five Nuggets in double figures.
RANGERS-MARINERS
Lee’s pinch-hit homer in 10th lifts Mariners over Texas 4-2
SEATTLE (AP) — Dae-Ho Lee hit a two-run, pinch-homer with two outs in the 10th inning on Wednesday, lifting the Seattle Mariners over the Texas Rangers 4-2 for their first win of the year at Safeco Field.
After starting out 0-5 at home, the Mariners won on Lee’s second home run of the season. Robinson Cano hit his fifth homer for Seattle.
The right-handed hitting Lee, who spent the last four years in Japan after 11 seasons in his native South Korea, came on to bat for Adam Lind against left-hander Jake Diekman (0-1). Lee launched an 0-2 pitch deep over the left-field wall for his second homer.
Nelson Cruz reached on a one-out error by second baseman Rougned Odor, but was forced out by Kyle Seager, setting up Lee.
Steve Cishek (1-1) pitched two innings.
ANGELS-ATHLETICS
Shoemaker, Angels beat Athletics for 4th straight win
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Shoemaker pitched one-hit ball for six innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 5-1 Wednesday for their fourth straight win.
Mike Trout had three hits and scored three runs as the Angels finished a three-game sweep. Kole Calhoun got three hits and drove in two runs, and Albert Pujols also had two RBIs.
Marcus Semien hit his third home run in two days for the A’s. Oakland fell to 1-6 at home.
Shoemaker (1-1) gave a single in the second inning to Danny Valencia. He struck out five and walked three.
Eric Surkamp (0-1) went 4 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on five hits.
WAMBACH PLEA
Soccer star Abby Wambach pleads guilty in DUI case
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Court records show U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of intoxicants Tuesday in a county courtroom in Portland.
The Oregonian reports the plea means Wambach could have her charges dismissed within a year by enrolling in a diversion program available to first-time offenders. A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge also ordered a breathalyzer be installed in Wambach’s vehicle and that she undergo drug and alcohol treatment, the Oregonian reported.
The 35-year-old retired soccer player and two-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested April 2 after police said she ran a red light in downtown Portland and failed field sobriety tests. Her blood alcohol content was .13 percent, above Oregon’s limit of .08 percent.
Wambach was later released on her recognizance and has since apologized.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.