NW Sports from the AP

Date: 09/11/2014 04:59 AM

AP-NW–SportsMinute/273
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) – Jose Altuve had two hits and an RBI and the Houston Astros damaged the Seattle Mariners post-season hopes with a 5-2 victory yesterday. The Mariners, who lost two of three in the series, remained a half-game behind Detroit for the American League’s second wild-card spot.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Four pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout and Gregor Blanco had an RBI double as part of a four-run seventh inning that sent the San Francisco Giants to a 5-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks last night. Hunter Pence drew a leadoff walk from Arizona reliever Oliver Perez (3-4) to jump-start the Giants offense. The Giants remained 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Dodgers in the NL West.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Washington State coach Mike Leach thinks the Cougars’ 0-2 start this season is partially tied to a lack of focus during games. He puts part of the blame on himself and the coaching staff. But he warns that doesn’t mean players are off the hook. Washington State (0-2) hosts Portland State (1-1) of the FCS on Saturday in the team’s first home game in Pullman.

PHOENIX (AP) – While the quarterbacks deservedly get most of the attention in the Pac-12, the conference has some teams that are pretty good at running the ball, too. Though it’s still early in the season, the Pac-12 has churned out yards on the ground with six teams averaging over 200 per game. Oregon has been one of the nation’s best rushing teams the past seven seasons.

 

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