(New York, NY)  --  The Seattle Mariners are winners of four of their last five games after defeating the New York Yankees, 6-3.  Mike Zunino had a career-high four hits and Corey Hart slapped a two-run double to put Seattle ahead to stay in the fifth inning.  Starting pitcher Chris Young picked up his first win in 20 months, giving up two runs on three hits over five-and-two-thirds innings.  The Mariners and Yankees will play the second game of their three-game series this afternoon.

(Houston, TX)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers will try to wrap up their playoff series with Houston when they play the Rockets tonight.  Portland leads the best-of-seven series, three games to one.  The Blazers haven't advanced to a second round since the 1999-2000 season.  Tip-off tonight in Houston is set for 6:30.

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen says racist comments attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling are "abhorrent."  Allen says the statements, if true, are "not acceptable for the owner of an NBA franchise or anyone in professional sports."  Sterling is under fire after a recording containing comments he allegedly made surfaced.  The recording includes the voice of someone who is said to be Sterling, telling his girlfriend not to bring black people to games.

(Renton, WA)  --  A new contract with the Seattle Seahawks makes Earl Thomas the highest-paid safety in the NFL.  The four-year, 40-million-dollar deal comes after Thomas intercepted five passes in 2013 and was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his four-year career.  The speedy defensive back also had 105 combined tackles last season.  The NFL Network reports more than 27-million dollars is guaranteed under Thomas's new contract.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers lead Houston, three games to one, in their first-round playoff series after grabbing a 123-120 overtime win against the Rockets.  LaMarcus Aldridge scored 29 points and collected ten rebounds to lead the Blazers, while Nicolas Batum added 25 points.  Wesley Matthews made a key steal in the final seconds to seal the win for Portland, who will head to Houston for Game Five Wednesday night.

(Naples, FL)  --  Former NBA coach and analyst Dr. Jack Ramsay is dead at age 89.  ESPN tweeted that the long-time NBA sideline presence died early this morning in Naples, Florida.  Ramsay had been moved into a hospice last week as part of his long battle with cancer.  He's best known for leading the Portland Trail Blazers to their only NBA championship in 1977.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are riding high as they get set to host the Houston Rockets in Game Three of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.  The Blazers have a two-games-to-none lead after beginning the best-of-seven series in Houston.  LaMarcus Aldridge scored a combined 89 points in those first two games, and leads all scorers in playoff points.  Tip-off tonight at the Moda Center is set for 7:30.

(Renton, WA)  --  Cornerback Marcus Trufant is done with his NFL career after playing ten seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.  Trufant was cut in training camp before the 2013 season by Jacksonville, and was told by coach Pete Carroll and G.M. John Schneider they wanted him to retire as a Seahawk.  Trufant, who played in high school in Tacoma and college ball at Washington State, announced his retirement yesterday at Seahawks headquarters.

(Houston, TX)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are off to a two-games-to-none start in the Western Conference playoffs after beating Houston, 112-105.  LaMarcus Aldridge continued his red-hot shooting by scoring 43 points.  Damian Lillard added 18 points and dished out eleven assists.  The best-of-seven series moves to the Moda Center, where the Blazers and Rockets will tip off at 7:30 Friday night.

(Seattle, WA)  --  The Seattle Seahawks will begin defending their Super Bowl title when they host the Green Bay Packers on September 4th.  The Thursday night game, to be televised on NBC, will be the official kickoff of the 2014 season.  The Seahawks are scheduled to play four primetime games in all during the regular season.  They include a Thanksgiving night contest with the San Francisco 49ers at the new Levi's Stadium.

(Houston, TX)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are hoping to keep their momentum going tonight in Houston when they meet the Rockets for Game Two of their best-of-seven playoff series.  The Blazers eked out a Game One win with the help of 77 combined points from LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard.  Tip-off for tonight's game is set for 6:30.

(Renton, WA)  --  Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is reportedly close to an agreement with the team on a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.  CBS Sports reports Sherman could sign the deal before the April draft.  The extension could pay Sherman more than 13-million dollars a year, far above the one-point-five-million in total compensation he's due to receive from the Seahawks in 2014.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seattle Seahawks will trade their seventh-round draft pick this year for Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor.  Pryor started nine games last year for the Raiders.  Oakland recently traded with Houston to acquire quarterback Matt Schaub.  Pryor is expected to compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the Seahawks' backup quarterback position.

(Houston, TX)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers lead their Western Conference playoff series with the Houston Rockets, one game to none.  The Blazers topped Houston in overtime last night, 122-120.  LaMarcus Aldridge scored a career-high 46 points before fouling out in OT.  Damian Lillard scored 31 points for the Blazers, who play Game Two with the Rockets Wednesday night in Houston.

(Miami, FL)  --  The Seattle Mariners are on a six-game losing streak after falling victim to a sweep in Miami.  The Marlins rallied to beat Seattle in yesterday's series finale, 3-2.  Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer gave up a run on two hits and struck out four over four-and-a-third innings, but the Seattle bullpen gave up two runs in the eighth.  The Mariners will host Houston in a three-game series starting tonight at Safeco Field.

(Arlington, TX)  --  The Seattle Mariners will head to Miami today after dropping their third straight game to the Texas Rangers, 8-6.  The Ms got a six-run third inning sparked by Robinson Cano's three-run homer, but the Rangers prevailed in the shootout.  Erasmo Ramirez was roughed up for five runs on six hits over just two innings.  The Mariners will play the Marlins this afternoon to begin a three-game series.

(Renton, WA)  --  Wide Receiver Sidney Rice will be a Seattle Seahawk for another season.  Hours after he reportedly visited with the New York Jets, Rice signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks, who released him in February in a salary-cap move.  He missed most of last season after suffering a torn ACL midway through.  Rice proclaimed earlier this week that he's recovered from the injury and is ready to return.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are heading into the NBA playoffs on a five-game winning streak after holding off the Los Angeles Clippers, 110-104.  As both teams rested key players, Portland was led in scoring by Will Barton, who had a career-high 23 points.  Portland is seeded fifth in the Western Conference, and will play the Rockets in a first-round series starting Sunday in Houston.

The Blazers wrap up the regular season tonight when the Los Angeles Clippers come to town. L.A. will be looking for a win to potentially surpass the Thunder for the No. 2 seed in the West, while Portland coach Terry Stotts will likely restrict the minutes of his main rotational players. The Blazers are now locked into the fifth seed in the West matching them up against the No. 4 Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
 

(Arlington, TX)  --  The Seattle Mariners are now even in their series with Texas after losing to the Rangers, 5-0.  Blake Beavan made his first start of the season for the Mariners, giving up two runs on six hits over four innings.  Seattle managed seven hits but stranded nine runners.  The Ms and the Rangers will play the third game of their four-game series this evening.

(Arlington, TX)  --  The Seattle Mariners remain a game-and-a-half back of first place in the AL West after defeating division rival Texas, 7-1.  Roenis Elias [[ roh-ENN-is eh-LEE-us ]] gave up one run on five hits and struck out five in six-and-two-thirds innings.  Mike Zunino slammed a solo homer in the fifth inning for Seattle.  The Mariners and Rangers will play the second game of their four-game series in Arlington tonight.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Trail Blazers locked up a top-five seed in the Western Conference when Andre Iguodala missed an open three on Golden State's final possession as the Warriors fell 119-117 in overtime at the Moda Center.  All five Portland starters scored in double figures paced by LaMarcus Aldridge's 26 points.  Wesley Matthews added 24, while Nicolas Batum chipped in 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.  Portland is 53-and-28, trailing the Rockets by a half-game for the fourth-seed.  Steph Curry's 47 points wasn't enough for Golden State.  Curry knocked down 7-of-14 from behind the arc.  Klay Thompson contributed 25 for the Warriors, who are 49-and-31.

(Renton, WA)  --  The defending world champion Seattle Seahawks will begin the 2014 preseason with a rematch against Super Bowl opponent Denver.  Seattle will play at Denver on a date to be determined between August 7th and 10th.  Week Two of the preseason will see the Seahawks play San Diego at home, and the Hawks will host the Chicago Bears the following week.  Seattle will close out the exhibition season on August 28th at Oakland.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are winners of six of their last seven games after holding off Sacramento, 100-99.  Dorell Wright hit a baseline three-pointer with eight seconds left to put the Blazers on top.  The Kings' Ray McCallum missed a last-second jumper.  The Blazers will be in Utah Friday night to play the Jazz.

(Seattle, WA)  --  The Seattle Mariners are reigning supreme over the Los Angeles Angels so far in the young season.  Seattle won its home opener last night over the Angels, 5-3, after overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the first inning.  Designated hitter Corey Hart hit two homers for the Mariners and starting pitcher James Paxton picked up his second win of the year.  The two teams will play again tonight at Safeco Field.

(Augusta, GA)  --  Golf legend Jack Nicklaus is more confident in Tiger Woods than many others.  Nicklaus told ESPN's "Mike & Mike" on Tuesday that he still believes Woods will break his record of 18 major championships.  Woods is currently stuck on 14 titles, and won't play this week at The Masters.

(Nashville, TN)  --  Connecticut cruised to a 79-58 win over Notre Dame to win its ninth NCAA championship in women's basketball yesterday.  Breanna Stewart scored 21 points to lead the Lady Huskies, who are back-to-back champs after going 40-and-0.  UConn won the men's title on Monday.

(Nashville, TN)  --  It will be a battle of undefeated teams tonight in the women's basketball national championship game in Nashville.  The 37-and-0 Notre Dame Fighting Irish face the 39-and-0 Connecticut Huskies.  UConn is looking to sweep the men's and women's titles after doing the same thing in 2004.

(Arlington, TX)  --  Connecticut is celebrating its fourth national championship after defeating Kentucky 60-54 from AT&T Stadium.  Shabazz Napier had 22 points with six rebounds to earn Most Outstanding Player honors for UConn.  The Huskies last won it all in 2011.  Kentucky was after its ninth title.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are in the playoffs after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans, 100-94.  LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to help the Blazers clinch a post-season berth.  Wesley Matthews added 21 points, Damian Lillard tallied 20, and Nicolas Batum had 16 points and 12 rebounds.  Portland will host the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night.

(Oakland, CA)  --  The Seattle Mariners are getting ready for their home opener after losing to the Oakland A's, 6-3.  It was a rough start for Erasmo Ramirez, who gave up five runs on seven hits over four innings.  Robinson Cano had a double in the third inning and scored a run for Seattle.  The Mariners will play the L.A. Angels at Safeco Field tomorrow night in the first game of a two-game series.

(Oakland, CA)  --  The Seattle Mariners' season-opening winning streak is over.  The Ms dropped the first game of a four-game series with the Oakland Athletics, 3-2, in 12 innings.  Oakland's Coco Crisp had a walk-off homer in the 12th to end the contest.  The Mariners and A's will play again tonight at 7:05.

(Renton, WA)  --  The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly about to announce a contract extension for head coach Pete Carroll.  The Tacoma "News Tribune" quotes a source as saying Carroll, who led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history, will receive a new deal.  Carroll is in the final year of a five-year contract he signed in 2010.

(Anaheim, CA)  --  The Seattle Mariners are off to their best start since 1995 after defeating the Los Angeles Angels, 8-2.  It's only the third time in franchise history that the Mariners have begun a season with a 3-and-0 record.  James Paxton pitched seven shutout innings for Seattle, striking out nine.  Mike Zunino, Justin Smoak, and Corey Hart homered for the Mariners, who will open a four-game series at Oakland tonight.

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers' winning streak is now four after they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 124-112.  Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 65 points as Portland earned its sixth win in its last nine games.  Aldridge also pulled down 15 rebounds for the Blazers.  Portland will play again Friday night in Phoenix against the Suns.

(Eugene, OR)  --  University of Oregon assistant men's basketball coach Brian Fish is leaving Eugene to be the head coach at Montana State.  It will be the first college head-coaching job for Fish, who will take over a team that finished with a 14-and-17 record this past season.  He'll replace longtime Montana State head coach Brad Huse, who recently resigned.
 

(Anaheim, CA)  --  The Seattle Mariners have a win under their belts to begin the 2014 season.  Felix Hernandez struck out eleven after giving up a first-inning home run to help the Ms defeat the Los Angeles Angels, 10-3.  Seattle's six-run ninth inning included a three-run homer by Justin Smoak.  The Mariners and Angels will play the second game of their three-game series tonight.