AP-NW–Sports Right Now/639
SEAHAWKS-GRAHAM
Seahawks activate TE Jimmy Graham, another step in recovery
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Tight end Jimmy Graham has been activated off the physically unable to perform list by the Seattle Seahawks, another step in his recovery from his major knee injury last season.
Graham went through a light practice Wednesday. It was his first time on the field with his teammates since Week 12 of last season when he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee in a game against Pittsburgh.
The recovery from a patellar tendon tear can sometimes take up to a year but Graham was back on the field in less than nine months.
As for the season opener, Graham said he’s not allowed to say whether he’ll be ready for the September 11th game against Miami.
TIGERS-MARINERS
Cruz homers after Verlander, Felix duel; Mariners top Tigers
SEATTLE (AP) — Nelson Cruz hit his 28th homer in the eighth inning after Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander dueled through the first seven, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.
Cruz hit a 1-1 pitch from Justin Wilson (2-4) over the batter’s eye 421 feet away to help the Mariners get their season-high sixth straight victory.
Hernandez and Verlander each pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a battle of former Cy Young Award winners. Hernandez struck out eight and allowed three hits and four walks, while Verlander allowed seven hits and struck out six.
Leonys Martin added an insurance run on an RBI single later in the eighth.
Arquimedes Caminero (1-0) pitched the eighth and earned the victory. Nick Vincent finished it for his second save.
BBM-RAINIERS-RIVER CATS
Blach carries Sacramento to 2-0 win over Tacoma
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Ty Blach tossed a two-hit shutout, leading the Sacramento River Cats to a 2-0 win over the Tacoma Rainiers on Wednesday.
Sacramento starter Blach (13-6) picked up the win after allowing just two hits over nine scoreless innings. Opposing starter Cody Martin (9-7) took the tough loss in the Pacific Coast League game after allowing two runs and six hits over five innings.
The Rainiers were held scoreless for the sixth time this season, while the River Cats’ staff recorded their eighth shutout of the year.
BBM-EMERALDS-VOLCANOES
Giambrone, Mitchell lead the way for Eugene
KEIZER, Ore. (AP) — Trent Giambrone homered, doubled twice and singled, scoring three runs while driving in two as the Eugene Emeralds topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 12-4 on Wednesday.
Kevonte Mitchell homered and singled for Eugene.
Eugene started the scoring with a big third inning, when Stephen Bruno hit an RBI single and then scored on a bases-clearing double by Zack Short.
The Emeralds later scored in four additional innings to put the game out of reach, including three runs in the fifth.
Tyson Miller (1-1) got the win in relief while Salem-Keizer starter Mac Marshall (1-5) took the loss in the Northwest League game.
Bryan Reynolds homered and singled twice for the Volcanoes.
BBM-AQUASOX-CANADIANS
Leal, Zammarelli lift Everett over Vancouver 7-2
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Jose Leal doubled and singled twice, scoring a couple of runs while also driving home two as the Everett AquaSox defeated the Vancouver Canadians 7-2 on Wednesday.
Nick Zammarelli singled three times, also stealing two bases for Everett.
Everett grabbed a 3-1 lead in the fourth after Leal hit an RBI single and then scored on a two-run single by Ray Guerrini.
Reggie McClain (1-3) got the win in relief while Vancouver starter T.J. Zeuch (0-1) took the loss in the Northwest League game.
Everett improved to 7-1 against Vancouver this season.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
