SEAHAWKS-DOLPHINS
Wilson, Seahawks rally for 12-10 win over Miami
SEATTLE (AP) — Another fourth quarter comeback for Russell Wilson. This time with an added degree of difficulty.
Hobbled by an ankle injury, Wilson pulled off another late rally, throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin with 31 seconds left and giving the Seattle Seahawks a 12-10 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Seattle had no choice but to rely on Wilson on a day the expected NFC contenders looked flawed offensively and buckled defensively in the fourth quarter. Seattle yielded an 86-yard touchdown drive to Ryan Tannehill that gave the Dolphins a 10-6 lead with 4:08 remaining.
That’s when Wilson went to work, playing on a right ankle that twisted badly in the third quarter as he was sacked by Ndamukong Suh. Seattle converted fourth-and-1 early in the drive on a 7-yard run by Christine Michael, but the big play was Wilson finding Baldwin for 22 yards on a crossing route on fourth-and-4 near midfield.
Four plays later, Wilson hit Baldwin in the corner of the end zone to give Seattle the lead — and finally exhale after a tougher-than-expected opener.
NATIONAL ANTHEM-KATE UPTON
Kate Upton: Dolphins’ national anthem protest ‘a disgrace’
NEW YORK (AP) — Supermodel Kate Upton has condemned the four Miami Dolphins players who knelt during the national anthem, writing on Instagram that their actions are “a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country.”
The four players — running back Arian Foster, outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins, free safety Michael Thomas and wide receiver Kenny Stills — were down on their right knee as the song played before the Dolphins’ 12-10 loss to the Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday.
Their decision to not stand during the national anthem was the latest in a series of protests undertaken by a number of professional athletes in recent weeks, with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick beginning the demonstration prior to a preseason game last month.
Upton specifically condemned the players’ action, calling it “more horrific” because it occurred on the 15th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
MARINERS-ATHLETICS
Marte, Mariners beat Athletics for 5th win in row
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Ketel Marte hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 3-2 Sunday for their fifth straight win.
The Mariners remained 3 ½ games behind in the AL wild-card race.
Marte had three hits and Mike Zunino homered and doubled for Seattle.
Zunino doubled off Ryan Madson (5-5) to begin the ninth and pinch runner Ben Gamel moved up on a single by Leonys Martin. Marte followed with his go-ahead single.
Steve Cishek (3-6) pitched a scoreless eighth. Edwin Diaz closed for his 15th save.
SPARKS-STORM
Storm secures playoff spot with 78-60 win over Sparks
SEATTLE (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 20 points and eight rebounds to help the Seattle Storm secure a playoff spot with a 78-60 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday night.
The Storm led 49-27 at halftime behind double-digit scoring by Stewart, Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd. Eighth-ranked Seattle started the second half on a 7-2 run, capped by Stewart’s 3-pointer, to extend its lead to 27 points and the Storm cruised to their first playoff berth since 2013.
Los Angeles, which already had a double-bye in the playoffs, rested starters Nneka Ogwumike and Kristi Toliver.
Crystal Langhorne added 15 points and 10 rebounds as all five starters scored in double figures for Seattle (15-17). Alysha Clark scored 15 points, Bird had 12 points and Loyd added 10 for the Storm, who won their fourth straight. Seattle was 18 of 18 from the free-throw line.
NWSL ROUNDUP
Rapinoe stands with her team, Thorns earn home playoff berth
SEATTLE (AP) —Megan Rapinoe locked arms with her teammates and stood during the national anthem Sunday night before the Seattle Reign beat the Washington Spirit 2-0 to stay alive in the National Women’s Soccer League playoff picture.
Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem last weekend at a Reign match in Chicago to express solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who did not stand for the anthem during the NFL preseason to bring attention to racial inequality.
On Wednesday during a match in Washington against the Spirit, the anthem was played before the teams took the field rather than “subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent,” the team said in a statement citing the personal beliefs of team owner Bill Lynch. Spirit players collectively released a statement Friday saying that the team did not necessarily agree with the owner’s opinions or actions.
Beverly Yanez and Keelin Winters both scored for the Reign in the victory over the Spirit in Seattle on Sunday night. The Reign got help in their bid for a playoff berth by the Portland Thorns, who held off the Western New York Flash 3-2 to earn home field advantage in the playoffs.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.