Northwest Sports: In the Morning

What's that? You want us to hit? Oooo-kay...
Brad Wilkerson was 3-3 and Jose Vidro had two doubles as the vets struggled to keep their jobs. Beltre's homer in the 9th sealed the deal, writes David Andriesen.

Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien were held out of Tacoma's game yesterday, reported USS Mariner. Rainiers manager Daren Brown wouldn't let on if there was any significance to it, but did tell Larry Stone "I think both these guys would do a nice job."

Service time issues that would make the two eligible for arbitration sooner if brought up now won't factor into the M's decision making, writes Geoff Baker. And there won't be any ambiguity when they do arrive. "If we bring them [Clement and Balentien] up, we're going to play them," McLaren said.

A MLB scout that Jason Churchill talked to would bring Balentien up now: "Last I checked, Seattle could use help in either corner, and it's not just an offensive problem. I really think Balentien is someone who would make them better right now. I think a lot of people underestimate his future."

Other news...
Jeff "Big Red" Nelson is shipping out this weekend to visit US troops in Afghanistan.

Everyone agrees that Jake Locker must improve his passing accuracy for the Dawgs to be successful next year. So far, so good, writes Molly Yanity.
Durant is Rookie of the Year, reports Percy Allen.

Wazzu lost six football scholarships because of their low graduation rate. Also, second-string DT Andy Roof became the fourth player arrested since Paul Wulff took over, writes Howie Stalwick. Roof assaulted three men at a party, Pullman police say.

Brazil's national soccer team--and their very best players--will play Canada at Key Arena Qwest Field on May 31, reports Jose Miguel Romero. Tickets ($35-125) will go on sale Monday.

When an opponent hurt herself running out a homerun, CWU women's softball players carried her around the bases so the run would count anyway, writes George Vecsey. And CWU lost the game 4-2. I'm not sure what to make of this.

The field for the Emerald City (high school football) Classic is set, and it includes Barack Obama's alma mater.

Husky golf WOOT! The Dawg golfers moved up to sixth in the Pac-10 tournament, and Tze Huang Choo, who started the day tied for the lead, stayed within two strokes. Today is the final round. UW and OSU are best among the NW schools in 6th. USC leads.

Gonzaga baseball upset #23 Oregon State, winning 11-6 after a six-run eighth.