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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cardinals trade Freese to Angels

David Freese is leaving his hometown Cardinals for L.A. Angels. (Associated Press)
From Staff And Wire Reports

MLB: Former World Series MVP David Freese was traded by his hometown St. Louis Cardinals to the Los Angeles Angels in a four-player deal Friday that reunites Albert Pujols with a pair of ex-teammates.

Freese said he got a welcoming text from Pujols and responded with a reference to the 2011 World Series: “Remember what we did the last time we played together? Let’s go try to do that again.”

The 30-year-old didn’t think his drop-off in production last season had anything to do with the pressure of being the “hometown kid.”

“Obviously, I’m a little sad closing this chapter, but I’m extremely pumped about joining the Angels,” Freese said.

St. Louis obtained a new starting center fielder in Peter Bourjos, plus outfield prospect Randal Grichuk. The Cardinals also sent reliever Fernando Salas to the Angels.

“Overall, we just felt this was a very compelling deal to make,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said.

Michigan overcomes Florida State in OT

College basketball: Nik Stauskas scored 26 points, including seven in overtime, as No. 14 Michigan erased a 16-point second-half deficit to beat Florida State 82-80 at San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

Derrick Walton Jr. added 15 points and Mitch McGary had 14 points and 12 rebounds in his third game back from injury.

Connecticut holds off Indiana: Shabazz Napier scored 27 points, including 11 over the final 7 minutes, to lead No. 18 Connecticut to a 59-58 victory over Indiana in the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic at New York.

Napier’s driving basket with 1:34 left to play turned out to be the final points of the game.

Arizona brings in four top recruits: Arizona coach Sean Miller has signed another stellar recruiting class, a four-player group that’s rated among the best in the nation.

The 2014 class is led by forward Stanley Johnson, rated the No. 3 overall player by Rivals.com. Scout.com rated Miller’s latest class No. 3 in the nation and Rivals.com fourth.

Rose injures knee; Blazers top Bulls

NBA: Derrick Rose injured his right knee and the Chicago Bulls star, who sat out last season following surgery on his left knee, did not return during a 98-95 loss to the streaking Portland Trail Blazers at Portland.

Wesley Matthews had a season-high 28 points and Damian Lillard added 20 to help the Trail Blazers run their winning streak to nine games.

Lakers top Curry-less Warriors: Pau Gasol had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Nick Young scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half, and the host Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of Stephen Curry’s absence for a 102-95 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Bjorn holds lead at World Cup

Golf: Thomas Bjorn of Denmark shot a 3-under 68 for a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the World Cup at Royal Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia.

Bjorn, who was at 8-under 134, made a testing 6-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole.

American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69.

Brown out front at Pebble: Scott Brown shot a 4-under 68 at Spyglass Hill at Long Beach, Calif., and leads the Pebble Beach Invitational by one stroke over Jason Kokrak after two rounds.

Brown had two bogeys and six birdies, all within 10 feet. He is at 134 for the tournament.

Gal holds steady in wind at Titleholders: Sandra Gal handled the wind and built a three-shot lead going into the weekend of the LPGA Titleholders at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

Richards sets record in Navy victory

Miscellany: Keenan Reynolds set an NCAA record by scoring seven rushing touchdowns, including the winner in the third overtime, and Navy downed host San Jose State 58-52.

Reynolds rushed for 240 yards on 36 carries and became the fourth quarterback in Navy history to throw for more than 1,000 yards and pass for more than 1,000 yards in the same season, and the ninth QB in NCAA history to score as many as 20 rushing touchdowns. He has 26 on the year, one shy of the NCAA mark.

Vonn to skip event at Beaver Creek: Lindsey Vonn will skip the World Cup ski races next week in Beaver Creek, Colo., as she recovers from a training crash in which she partially tore one of the reconstructed ligaments in her surgically repaired right knee.

The reigning Olympic downhill champion will continue to go through therapy on her knee and is not ruling out a possible return to racing in Lake Louise, Alberta, the following week.