Fast Break
BASEBALL
Baker strikes out four in an inning
Minnesota starter Scott Baker struck out four in the third inning of Sunday’s game with the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the first Twins pitcher to accomplish the feat.
Baker started the inning by striking out Ryan Braun swinging, then got Prince Fielder to strike out, but the ball bounced far away from catcher Mike Redmond.
That allowed Fielder to easily reach first on the wild pitch. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron looking on three pitches apiece to end the inning.
The Brewers won the game 4-2.
BASEBALL
Mariners? They can’t hear you
Seattle Mariners Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard Lincoln didn’t have much to say about his beleaguered American League team when he was keynote speaker at Western Washington University’s commencement in Bellingham.
Following a 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday night, the Mariners had the worst record in baseball at 24-44 and were in last place 161/2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the A.L. West.
Lincoln told more than 2,000 students who got their degrees at jampacked Carver Gym on the Bellingham university’s campus on Saturday: “Our team has performed so poorly this season that you probably don’t even want to hear about them.”
Two or three people responded by clapping.
The situation worsened Sunday when the Mariners lost again and the Angels won, leaving Seattle 171/2 games out.
COURTS
Sonics-vs.-Seattle trial begins
One of the most anticipated trials in Seattle history is set to begin today, complete with bloggers and protesters.
The six-day, no-jury trial in federal court will settle the final two years of the SuperSonics’ lease at KeyArena. Sonics owner Clay Bennett has gained the NBA’s approval to move the team to his hometown of Oklahoma City, but Seattle argues its lease forces the franchise to play two more seasons before departing. The contentious showdown has turned personal between the principals.
Today, just as Bennett may be finishing testimony, former Sonics stars Gary Payton and Xavier McDaniel are scheduled to appear for a “Save Our Sonics!” fan rally in the courthouse plaza.