NW Sports from the AP

AP-NW–1st SportsMinute,405
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from
The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) – Dayan Viciedo made a sudden impact in his return
to the majors, hitting a three-run homer in his season debut as the
Chicago White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 9-3 yesterday for a
sweep. Viciedo was called up Saturday from Triple-A Charlotte when
the White Sox placed outfielder Carlos Quentin on the 15-day DL.
Seattle will open a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels
today with right-hander Blake Beavan starting.

SEATTLE (AP) – Sue Bird hit two free throws with 1.6 seconds
left in the game to snap a tie, and the Seattle Storm beat the Los
Angeles Sparks 65-63. Bird finished with 12 points and Lauren
Jackson and Tanisha Wright led Seattle with 14 points apiece.
Candace Parker scored 19 points to lead L.A. and made it a
double-double with 14 boards. Techia Penicheiro (TEE’-shah
pen-ih-SHEHR’-oh) also had a double-double with 15 points and 10
boards.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Portland Trail Blazers point guard
Patty Mills has signed a contract to play for the Melbourne Tigers
in Australia’s National Basketball League during the NBA lockout.
Basketball Australia chief executive Larry Sengstock says that
Mills had turned down more lucrative offers from European teams to
play in Australia. Mills is in Australia preparing with the
national team for Olympic qualifying matches against New Zealand.

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. (AP) – Mark Calcavecchia won the Boeing
Classic yesterday for his first Champions Tour title, beating Russ
Cochran. Calcavecchia and Cochran shot 7-under 65s to finish at 14
under at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge. Calcavecchia almost wrapped up the
title on the par-5 18th in regulation, but his lengthy eagle putt
came up a few inches short. Cochran then made a 12-foot eagle putt
on 18 to force the playoff. In the playoff, Cochran’s bunker shot
bounced past the pin into the rough and Calcavecchia was able to
two-putt for the title.

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – The Jacquizz (ja-KWIZ’) Rodgers era is
over at Oregon State, which means all eyes are on Ryan Katz and his
rocket right arm. That’s just fine with Katz. Oregon State’s junior
quarterback enters his second season behind center bigger, stronger
and more polished. One thing that hasn’t changed is the steely
confidence that has been a hallmark ever since he graduated early
from Santa Monica High in California to arrive at spring practice
in 2008. He says this season that he’s now seeing things quicker
and making faster decisions.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-08-29-11 0531EDT