AP-NW–Sports Right Now/918
SEAHAWKS-RUNNING DUO
Seahawks see Rawls, Michael as dynamic running back duo
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — When the Seattle Seahawks released their depth chart for the season opener against Miami, there was a surprising hierarchy at running back.
Christine Michael was slotted ahead of Thomas Rawls.
Of course, it was an unofficial depth chart, one that coach Pete Carroll joked about being just that on Wednesday. But it was also an affirmation that even though Rawls is expected to be the Seahawks’ primary ball carrier this season, Michael has done enough since the end of last year to earn himself a share of the time in the backfield.
Carroll wasn’t willing to break down how the carries will be split on Sunday against the Dolphins. Rawls was a star last season filling in while Marshawn Lynch was injured, running for 830 yards before breaking his ankle in a December game against Baltimore.
But the Seahawks won’t discount what Michael showed in the preseason. With Rawls still recovering, Michael took the carries against the defenses Seattle faced and averaged 6.0 yards per carry.
RANGERS-MARINERS
Adam Lind’s 2 home runs lead Seattle past Texas 8-3
SEATTLE (AP) — Adam Lind hit the fourth grand slam of his career as part of Seattle’s five-run first inning, added a solo home run in his next at-bat and led the Mariners to a 8-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.
Lind’s 19th and 20th homers of the season helped Seattle jump to an 8-0 lead and kept the Mariners on the fringe of the AL wild card race, five games behind Baltimore. It was the 12th career multi-homer game of Lind’s career and his second this season.
The homers from Lind were plenty for starter Ariel Miranda in his strongest performance since joining the Mariners.
Miranda (3-1) allowed one hit and two baserunners through five innings and was nearly untouched through six before an error kept the sixth inning alive and was capped by Carlos Beltran’s three-run homer.
STORM-LIBERTY
Storm cruise past Liberty, move up in playoff chase
NEW YORK (AP) — Jewell Loyd scored 25 points and Breanna Stewart added 23 to help the Seattle Storm beat the New York Liberty 102-78 Wednesday night.
Crystal Langhorne had 21 points for the Storm (13-17), who moved into a tie for seventh place in the playoff chase. Seattle has four games left in the regular season.
With the game tied at 48 early in the third quarter, Seattle went on a 13-3 run to take control of the game. Stewart got the burst started and Sue Bird capped it with a 3-pointer that made it 61-51.
New York (20-10) couldn’t get within eight the rest of the way.
Seattle ended an eight-game losing streak against the Liberty.
RAPINOE-ANTHEM
Rapinoe stymied in bid for second national anthem protest
BOYDS, Md. (AP) — Megan Rapinoe was stymied in a bid for a second national anthem protest Wednesday night when Washington’s National Women’s Soccer League team moved up the pregame ceremonies.
“We decided to play the anthem in our stadium ahead of schedule rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent,” the Washington Spirit said in a statement.
On Sunday before the Seattle Rhein’s game in Chicago, Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem “in a little nod” to NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick — the San Francisco quarterback whose refusal to stand for the anthem to protest racial injustice and minority oppression came to public notice when he remained seated on the bench before a preseason game against Green Bay.
Earlier Wednesday, the Reign said they are standing by Rapinoe, the midfielder who helped the U.S. win the World Cup last year and played in the Rio Olympics.
49ERS-KAEPERNICK ANTHEM
Kaepernick to donate money from jersey sales to charity
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colin Kaepernick says he will donate all the money he receives from his jersey sales to charity to thank fans for their support during his national anthem protest.
Kaepernick announced the move Wednesday on his Instagram account saying he was pleased that his San Francisco 49ers jersey has become the top seller in the NFL since his protest became public. Kaepernick is refusing to stand during the anthem in protest of police brutality and oppression of minorities in America.
He writes that the increase in his jersey sales “shows the people’s belief that we can achieve justice and equality for ALL!”
GOODELL-KAEPERNICK
Goodell doesn’t agree with Kaepernick’s actions
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell disagrees with Colin Kaepernick’s choice to kneel during the national anthem, but recognizes the quarterback’s right to protest.
Asked by The Associated Press about Kaepernick’s decision not to stand before games when the national anthem is played, Goodell says: “I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don’t live in a perfect society. … On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that.”
Goodell adds that with NFL players having a visible platform for their viewpoints, “we have to choose respectful ways of doing that so that we can achieve the outcomes we ultimately want and do it with the values and ideals that make our country great.”
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.