NW Sports from the AP

AP-NW–1st SportsMinute,389
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from
The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) – Justin Smoak hit his first home run in nearly
three months, a two-run shot in the sixth inning, to help the
Seattle Mariners claim a 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals
last night. Smoak hit a 1-1 fastball from Luke Hochevar
(HOH’-chay-vur) into the right-field seats for his 13th, but first
since June 12. He’d gone 48 games between home runs. Jason Vargas
picked up the victory. He worked six innings, allowing four hits
and one run.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) – In just two seasons, Pete Carroll has
redefined NFL shelf life, at least when it comes to the Seattle
Seahawks. When they take the field Sunday for their season opener
at San Francisco, the Seahawks will feature only 10 players on the
active roster who were playing for Seattle just two seasons ago.
But Carroll thinks the massive roster turnover is done. He says the
Seahawks are “strongly committed to the guys they’ve chosen.”

RENTON, Wash. (AP) -Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons didn’t
practice yesterday after he tweaked an ankle during a walkthrough.
Clemons had offseason surgery on his ankle and required a follow-up
procedure after developing an infection. He’s been limited
throughout training camp and only played in the team’s last two
preseason games. Rookie linebacker K.J. Wright continued to take
the majority of reps with the first team defense.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – The San Francisco 49ers still are in
learning mode as they prepare for Sunday’s season opener with
Seattle, and nobody really knows what to expect from the 49ers new
offense. But running back Frank Gore says the Niners have a lot of
weapons and that other teams are going to see what he calls “some
real good stuff.” The 49ers ranked 31st in the NFL in total
offense and last in passing offense during the preseason.

UNDATED (AP) – Oregon’s rushing woes against LSU were an
anomaly, at least in LaMichael James’ mind. Oregon had just 95
yards rushing as a team last weekend in the 40-27 loss to the
Tigers, which dropped the Ducks from No. 3 to No. 13 in the AP Top
25. James ran for 54 yards. The former Heisman Trophy finalist led
the nation with an average of 144.2 rushing yards a game last
season, when Oregon averaged 286 yards on the ground.

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

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