Sports in brief: Affeldt, Giants set extension

The San Francisco Giants announced the signing of three pitchers to contract extensions: right-handed starter Matt Cain, left-handed setup man Jeremy Affeldt and right-handed closer Brian Wilson.

The 30-year-old Affeldt, a graduate of Northwest Christian, will receive a $500,000 raise to total $4.5 million this season, get $4.5 million in 2011 and have a $5 million club option with a buyout of $500,000 for 2012.

He tied with Minnesota’s Matt Guerrier for the major league lead in holds with 33 last season and was named the Setup Man of the Year by This Year in Baseball Awards.

Associated Press

Chiefs need a win to return home

What a difference a week makes.

After winning on the road in the first two games of their WHL playoff series with Portland, the Spokane Chiefs are in a must-win situation tonight when the series returns to Portland for Game 6.

The Chiefs are in that predicament trailing 3-2 after dropping three games in a row in Spokane.

If the Chiefs win Game 6 (7 p.m. on 1510-AM) the series will be decided on Wednesday in Spokane.

The winner of the series will play Everett or Kelowna in the second round. The Silvertips and Rockets play the decisive Game 7 of their series tonight at Everett.

Heathcote plans to watch MSU

Jud Heathcote says he’s going to the Final Four.

The 82-year-old Heathcote told the Associated Press that he’s getting too old to travel, but he plans to fly from Spokane to Indianapolis to root for Michigan State and his protege, coach Tom Izzo.

Heathcote coached the Spartans when Earvin “Magic” Johnson led the school to its first national championship in 1979. Heathcote was 339-221 over 19 years and retired after the 1994-95 season.

Associated Press

It seems Duke is the only one

Duke is the only No. 1 seed to reach the Final Four.

Since seeding started in 1979, only twice had a No. 1 seed not advanced to the Final Four. This will be the 11th time only one No. 1 reached the Final Four and the first since 2004.

None of the No. 1s made it in 1980 and 2006.

Associated Press