AP-NW–Sports Right Now/610
TRAIL BLAZERS-MCCOLLUM
AP source: CJ McCollum agrees to extension with the Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A person familiar with the deal confirms that guard CJ McCollum has agreed to a four-year, $106 million contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Monday because the deal hadn’t been formally announced by the team. It was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
McCollum, who was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player, averaged 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Blazers during the regular season. He raised his scoring average by more than 14 points over the previous season.
As the 10th overall pick for the Blazers in the 2013 draft, McCollum bided his time on the bench for his first two seasons. He became a starter in the backcourt with Damian Lillard last season after four of the team’s starters departed in the offseason.
MARINERS-PIRATES
Hernandez to open series vs. Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Seattle are back in action after a day off yesterday, opening a series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.
Seattle will send right-hander Felix Hernandez to the mound, with Hernandez 4-4 and coming off allowing five runs against the White Sox last week in his first start since missing a couple months with a strained right calf.
Lefty Francisco Liriano (6-9, 4.96) starts for the Pirates.
The Mariners had yesterday off after being one-hit on Sunday by Toronto in a 2-0 loss. Despite the loss, Seattle did win the series against the Blue Jays.
MLS-TIMBERS-BORCHERS
Timbers defender Nat Borchers needs Achilles surgery
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Timbers defender Nat Borchers needs surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and will miss the rest of the season.
Borchers was hurt on Saturday during the Timbers’ 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
It did not appear that the veteran defender was injured by contact when he collapsed to the turf late in the first half. Borchers could not stand after he was treated on the field and left on a stretcher.
Borchers, 35, is a fan favorite and was a key last season when the Timbers won the MLS Cup. The injury comes at a time when another starting defender, Liam Ridgewell, is dealing with a calf injury.
Borchers posted a message to Twitter thanking fans for their thoughts and prayers.
The Timbers said Monday that the surgery had not yet been scheduled.
BAYLOR-SEX ASSAULT TALK
Woman shares her sexual assault story with Baylor players
WACO, Texas (AP) — A woman who said she was raped by two Oregon State football players and two other men in 1998 has shared her story with the Baylor football team.
Brenda Tracy spoke to the Bears on Monday, two months after a 13-page report said Baylor failed to properly handle accusations of sexual assault, involving some of its former football players.
After hearing about Baylor’s case, Tracy had openly called for the NCAA to shut down the football program.
Tracy told ESPN Central Texas radio that Baylor players were engaged and paying attention, and that she told them that they have an opportunity to exact real change and be an example to follow. She was invited to campus by Baylor acting head coach Jim Grobe.
A month ago, Tracy shared her story with Nebraska’s team. The Cornhuskers are coached by Mike Riley, who was Oregon State’s head coach in 1998.
The Associated Press generally doesn’t identify sexual assault victims, but Tracy has spoken publicly about her experience.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
