AP-NW–Sports Right Now/819
MARINERS-ANGELS
Pennington’s triple lifts Angels over Mariners to end skid
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cliff Pennington hit a go-ahead triple in the eighth inning, Albert Pujols slugged his 22nd home run and the Los Angeles Angels came back twice to beat the Seattle Mariners 7-6 on Tuesday night and end an 11-game losing streak.
With two outs in the eighth, Jefry Marte turned on a 97 mph fastball from Arquimedes Caminero (2-3) and it drove into the stands to tie it 6-6. Jett Bandy kept the inning alive with a single, and Pennington sent him home with just his second triple since 2014.
Fernando Salas pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save, and Brett Oberholtzer (3-2) earned the win with a scoreless eighth.
The Angels’ 11-game streak tied a franchise worst.
RIO OLYMPICS-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
U.S. women beat Japan for 47th straight win
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The U.S. women’s basketball team showed off its speed, size and depth in a 110-64 victory over Japan and advanced to the semifinals with another convincing win.
Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi each scored 19 points as the U.S. routed Japan for its 47th straight win. The U.S. did it without Seattle Storm player Sue Bird for most the game as the point guard went down in the second quarter with a knee injury.
The Americans, who will play France in the semifinals Thursday, apparently even impressed Japan.
The Japanese players posed for a team picture with the U.S. after the rout — the second straight opponent to get a memento with the Americans. China took a photo with the Americans in pool play. It’s reminiscent of how opponents reacted to the Dream Team at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
RIO OLYMPICS-110 HURDLES
McLeod takes gold in hurdles; Allen fifth
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Omar McLeod converted his season dominance of the 110-meter hurdles into an Olympic gold medal, a first for Jamaica in the event.
McLeod, the world indoor champion, gained the lead quickly and pulled away as he won in 13.05 seconds on Tuesday night.
Cuban-born Orlando Ortega of Spain took silver in 13.17 seconds and Dimitri Bascou of France won bronze in 13.24. University of Oregon runner Devon Allen finished fifth while former Duck Johnathan Cabral finished sixth.
The Jamaicans have dominated the men’s 100-meter and 200-meter titles in the last decade, but had never previously produced a male athlete who converted that raw pace into an Olympic title over the sprint hurdles.
RIO OLYMPICS-TRACK AND FIELD
Eaton looking to defend decathlon title in Rio
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Ashton Eaton of Oregon today kicks off the defense of his Olympic decathlon title. He’s trying to become the first to win back to back decathlon titles since Daley Thompson of Britain in 1980 and 1984.
In other track and field action in Rio, expect a good showdown between Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands and Tori Bowie of the U.S. in the 200 meters. Bowie is coming off a silver in the 100. Oregon’s Deajah Stevens also made the finals field.
The American women are thinking sweep in the 100. This despite world record holder Keni Harrison not even making the team at trials. It’s that deep.
And then, of course, there’s Usain Bolt as he takes another step toward another sweep in the sprints. The Jamaican was 3 for 3 in Beijing and again in London. And so far he’s 1 for 1 in Rio. The 200 semifinals are this evening.
SEAHAWKS-MCDANIEL
Social media helps land Tony McDaniel back with Seahawks
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — If Tony McDaniel finds his way onto the Seattle Seahawks 53-man roster at the end of the preseason he will owe an assist to Snapchat.
The rugged run-stopping defensive tackle went through his first practice with the Seahawks yesterday after signing with the team, a process that all started due to some happenstance.
Seattle’s defensive line depth has been thinned during training camp due to a few injuries. And McDaniel has been without a home after playing last season in Tampa Bay following two seasons with the Seahawks.
It just happened that McDaniel’s agent realized via a Snapchat post a few days ago that his client was in the state of Washington. In fact, McDaniel said he was two hours east of Seattle, in Leavenworth, Washington, doing some “hiking and kayaking.” The agent contacted the Seahawks and asked them to bring McDaniel in for a workout.
McDaniel’s reunion provides some experience up front and another option after Seattle lost Brandon Mebane in free agency during the offseason. McDaniel was a starter during the 2013-14 seasons for Seattle, making two Super Bowl appearances and winning one title.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.