NW Sports from the AP

AP-NW–1st SportsMinute,317
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from
The Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) – Felix Hernandez shook off a hard fall on a
fielding play to strike out 10, Wily Mo Pena drove in four runs and
the Seattle Mariners chased Cleveland’s Josh Tomlin before the
sixth inning Wednesday in a 9-2 rout that left the Indians’ playoff
hopes flickering. Hernandez (12-11) allowed two runs in six innings
as the last-place Mariners took three of four from the Indians.
Cleveland dropped below .500 for the first time since April 3.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) – The Seattle Seahawks have cut defensive
lineman Kentwan Balmer. The former first-round pick of the 49ers
struggled to find a role that fit in Seattle’s defense. Balmer was
acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round draft pick
in 2010 and appeared in all 16 games for Seattle. He started 11
games between defensive tackle and defensive end for the Seahawks
after injuries forced him into an increased role.

CHENEY, Wash. (AP) – Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell passed Eastern
Washington to its first Football Championship Subdivision national
title last season, and he is the leader of a team with so much
returning talent that the Eagles are predicted to repeat. Eastern
Washington was the overwhelming choice to win a second consecutive
title in preseason polls, largely since Mitchell is back to try to
improve on last season’s passing totals.

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – For the past 10 months almost everything
related to James Rodgers’ football career has been outside his
control. Seriously injured last Oct. 9 at Arizona, the flanker from
Richmond, Texas, underwent two knee surgeries and watched
helplessly on crutches as the Beavers stumbled to a 5-7 season.
Since then, the all-time leader in all-purpose yardage at Oregon
State has seen the Beavers disregarded in the media. So Rodgers has
gotten through fall camp just as he’s gotten through all that rehab
– by focusing on the things he can control.

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

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