SEAHAWKS MOVES
Seattle claims DT Garrison Smith off waivers from 49ers
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have claimed defensive tackle Garrison Smith off waivers.
Seattle made the move Sunday, according to the NFL transaction report. The team released defensive tackle Justin Hamilton to clear a spot on the 53-man roster for Smith.
Smith spent the preseason with San Francisco and played well for the 49ers with 15 tackles and four sacks. He was on the 49ers’ practice squad but has not appeared in a regular-season game in his two years in the league.
Seattle’s initial 53-man roster Saturday listed four defensive tackles.
The Seahawks also had four players clear waivers and revert to injured reserve: defensive tackle Jordan Hill, linebacker Eric Pinkins, offensive lineman Terry Poole and tight end Joe Sommers.
Seattle also started piecing together its practice squad, signing six players: defensive end Tyler Harris, linebacker Kache Palacio, guard Will Pericak and wide receivers Rodney Smith, Kasen Williams and Kenny Lawler.
ANGELS-MARINERS
Shoemaker hit in head by liner, Angels hold on for 4-2 win
SEATTLE (AP) — Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and six relievers combined to shut down Seattle after starter Matt Shoemaker was hit in the head with a line drive, leading the Los Angeles Angels over the Mariners 4-2 on Sunday.
Shoemaker was hit on the right side of his head with one out in the second inning on a line drive from Kyle Seager. Seager’s liner had an exit velocity of 105 mph, according to MLB Statcast. Shoemaker was able to turn his head slightly to avoid a direct blow to his face but was unable to get his mitt up in time.
The Angels announced Shoemaker suffered a laceration on the right side of his head, but was alert and responsive. He was taken to a local hospital for a CT scan.
Deolis Guerra (3-0) was the first of the relievers to enter, followed by Jose Alvarez, Mike Morin, Cody Ege and JC Ramirez.
Pujols hit his 29th homer of the season off Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma (14-11).
STORM-DREAM
Breanna Stewart leads Storm over Dream 91-82
ATLANTA (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks in the Seattle Storm’s 91-82 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday night.
Sue Bird added 23 points, Jewell Loyd had 17 and Alysha Clark 11 for the Storm (12-17).
Seattle had their largest lead of 26 early in the fourth quarter. Angel McCoughtry’s 3-pointer with 3:25 left capped a 19-4 run that cut Atlanta’s deficit to 82-71, but Bird’s 3-pointer made it 89-73 at 1:42 and the Storm held on.
McCoughtry was 12 of 17 from the field and had 32 points. Tiffany Hayes added 20 for the Dream (14-14).
The Storm built an eight-point lead by halftime and pulled away with a 10-0 run in the middle of the third quarter to lead 61-41.
RAPINOE-ANTHEM KNEEL
Soccer star Rapinoe kneels during national anthem
CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem Sunday night before the Seattle Reign’s 2-2 tie with the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League.
“It’s the least I can do. Keep the conversation going,” Rapinoe tweeted about her actions in protest of racial injustice and minority oppression.
Rapinoe’s protest follows similar high-profile actions by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The football player’s refusal to stand for the anthem first came to public notice when he remained seated on the bench before a preseason game against Green Bay. On Thursday night in San Diego, Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid kneeled during the anthem before a game against the Chargers.
The 31-year-old Rapinoe helped the U.S. win the World Cup last year and played in the Rio Olympics.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.