NW Sports from the AP

Date: 08/29/2013 04:59 AM

AP-NW–SportsMinute/395
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press

 

SEATTLE (AP) – Leonys Martin homered and drove in a career-high four runs as the Texas Rangers roughed up Felix Hernandez and romped past the Seattle Mariners 12-4 yesterday. The AL West-leading Rangers tagged Hernandez for nine runs and 11 hits in three-plus innings. The former AL Cy Young winner’s ERA climbed from 2.63 to 2.97.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) – The Seattle Seahawks are dealing with several injuries along their defensive line ahead of their final preseason game against the Oakland Raiders tonight. Defensive tackles Brandon Mebane and Tony McDaniel have groin injuries that will force them to miss the finale. Jordan Hill is considered week-to-week with a strained biceps. Defensive end Michael Bennett missed practice yesterday due to an injured toe. And fullback Michael Robinson remains sidelined because of a virus.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Get ready for Marcus 2.0. That’s what Oregon coach Mark Helfrich looks to see from his sophomore quarterback, Marcus Mariota, as the No. 3 Ducks embark on the new season. It all starts Saturday when Oregon host Nicholls. Mariota set the team’s single-season record last season with 38 touchdowns. Mariota also passed for 2,677 yards while completing a school-record 68.5 percent of his passes. He had 3,429 yards of total offense.

SEATTLE (AP) – The finest piece of real estate in college football now has a facility worthy of its waterfront location. Husky Stadium is no longer crumbling and dilapidated. Rebar is no longer exposed, concrete is no longer cracked and seats don’t feel miles away from the field. Washington will christen its $280 million renovation Saturday night when the Huskies host No. 19 Boise State. The debut is the latest in college football’s never-ending race to build bigger and better facilities.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Washington State coach Mike Leach doesn’t think the Cougars need to do anything special to prepare for the heat and big crowd expected when they play at Auburn on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. He says temperatures in Pullman have been as hot or hotter than temperatures at Auburn in recent weeks. This is Leach’s second season at WSU, and expectations are a little more muted after last year’s 3-9 campaign. Last year the Cougars opened at BYU, losing 30-6.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.