The News Tribune from Tacoma, Washington • C1

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 THENEWSTRIBUNE.COMSPORTS SECTION SEAHAWKS RANGERS 7. MARINERS 3 Wild Hernandez can't tame Rangers TT 4 -0 Seattle acc Felix Hernandez has control problem! almost from the get-go as Texas rolb to a victory over the Mariners. BY RYAN WVtSH ryaatfvish9thenevKtribune.com For much of the season, Felix Hernandez seemed like a man saddled with bad luck, poor timing or some rare curse that simply would not allow him to get wins that he deserved. Simple recollection of Hernandez's pitching performances brings a week ago in Texas offer the perfect example as to why Hernandez has an equal number of wins and losses. But Tuesday wasn't going to be one of those outings where Hernandez pitched brilliantly and was then left scratching his head, wondering why he didn't get the win.

Instead, Hernandez was average at best, and not even that at times, in the Mariners' 7-3 loss to the Rangers at Safeco Field. And being his own worst critic, Hernandez wasn't kind in his own self-critique. "Nothing was there, nothing, not even the command of my pitches was there," he said. "It was a horrible night" Hernandez couldnt even use the excuse that he felt good in warm-ups. "Not realty," he said.

And that was apparent from almost the first pitch. Hernandez appeared to be fighting himself, particularly his command. On his second pitch, he plunked leadoff hitter PImm MARINERS, paft C4 TODAY Texas at Seattle, 1:40 pm, FSN, 1000-AM. Mariners extend agreement with Tacoma Rainiers through 2010. C4 to mind dominance with times of sheer brilliance.

And yet Hernandez still came into Tuesday's game with the Texas Rangers with a pedestrian 9-9 record. Perhaps losses like the frustrating 1-0 defeat suffered in his previous start against the same Rangers squad 1 jj Ryan Pbcfcimcter hadapeir of 22-yard kkki among Mi llpuntaat Buffalo on Sunday, and had amount returned for. touchdown. 2008 PLU, UPS football previews RICK STEWARTGetty bruges Being a Lute? Priceless Seahawks give hwi to Plackemeier Ryan PUckemeier, Seattict punter fince 2006 who struggled Sunday, gcti released along with youngitcri Juitin Forsctt and Jordan Kent. BY FRANK HUGHES Frankiiugries9thenewstribune.com In the wake of a crushing defeat and devastating injuries, Seattle Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell went about restructuring his roster Tuesday, waiving three players and signing a badly needed wide receiver and a punter.

DISIDE The Seahawks released youngsters Jordan Kent and Justin Forsett to make room for the return of suspended players Rocky Bernard and Jordan Babineaux, and released punter Ryan Plackemeier after his poor performance in Buffalo on Sunday. Seattle signed Jon Ryan to replace Plackemeier, and today they will announce the signing of receiver Billy McMullen, who last played for the Washington Redskins and has some experience in the West Coast offense, which coach Mike Holmgren employs. Still, once McMullen is signed, the Seahawks will have only three receivers and backup quarterback Seneca Wallace as a possible fourth on their team, leaving open the possibility that they will sign an additional receiver, particularly since McMullen has no punt return experience in the NFL and Forsett's departure leaves Guard Rob Sims tears a pectoral muscle and might join a burgeoning list of Seahawks out for the season. C5 the Seahawks without a returner other than Wallace. The Seahawks on Tuesday worked out McMullen, as well as Sarnie Parker, Mark Bradford, Devale Ellis, Mike Hass and Michael Gasperson, according to NFL.com.

They did not make contact with Joe Horn, who was working out in Tennessee, or Reche Caldwell or former Seahawk Koren Robinson. Hmmim SEAHAWKS, paftCS Seahawks already have potential WR As the Seahawks wait for a heaven-sent pass receiver to drop in at practice a Usain Bolt clone with soft hands and the discipline to run a precise route, perhaps, or a 22-year old Jerry Rice, or maybe just somebody able to catch a ball without spitting up on himself permit me to nominate an off-the-wall candidate. LUI KIT WONQThe News Tribune Grtg Ford had a scholanhip offer from Eastern Washington, but decided he wanted to play wide receiver for Pacific Lutheran. Greg Ford turned down scholarship to play for PLU i y. The wide receiver I've got in mind is not quite as fast as Bolt, but faster than any cornerback who'd try to cover him.

Which is to say, he's fast enough. His reflexes are superior, he's used to contact, and he's retrieved more footballs from the air during his Steilacoom grad Greg Ford passed up a scholarship and decided he'd rather pay tuition and attempt to become a game-breaking receiver for Pacific Lutheran. Hrt become one of the Lutes' leaden. JOHN MCGRATH then approaches a few of his fellow wide receivers, chatting about what PLU's passing offense is capable of in 2008. In short, big numbers.

Coach Scott Westering isn't one to inflate projections. But even with the graduation of Craig Chiado and Chase Reed, a pair of three-time all-Northwest Conference players, the fifth-year coach said this collection of receivers has the highest ceiling of any group he's had since joining PLU's staff in 1981. Ford is the leader of a "Fly Boys" corps that includes Luke Absher, Drew Griffin, Isaac Moog, Luke Terwilliger and Kyle Whitford. "Greg," Westering said, "is a purebred wide receiver." Ford has the size of a Kyle Brown, who starred on the Lutes' last NCAA playoff team in 2001, but isn't as physical. Ford is more versatile, though, and provides offensive coordinator Craig McCord and new starting quarterback Michael Byrne a running option, too, on end-arounds and inside handoffs.

"He's a special football player, and has great gifts with obviously his speed and quickness. But he's got great hands and a great attitude," McCord said. "We do a great job Scott, especially of game-planning ways to get our impact players the ball, and he's one of those guys." PImm LUTES, paft C6 BY TODD MILLS toddjriUes9thmewstribune.com Greg Ford ducks in and out of sideline spaces, hiding from Pacific Lutheran University football teammates, in the same manner he sidesteps defensive backs. It's late in the Lutes' scrimmage, and Ford's day is done. He squats to talk to a staff member, short NFL career than, well, Jordan Kent (The former Oregon three-sport athlete, a jack of all trades except the trade the coaches counted on, was released Tuesday.) Furthermore, the wide receiver I've got in mind is a smart and dedicated team player who's got a solid relationship with general manager Tim Ruskell and coach Mike Holmgren.

On the downside, he's listed on the roster at 5-foot-9, a height frequently referred to by sportswriters as (As a 5-8 sportswriter myself, I prefer other adjectives, such as "honorable," and "towering in its own PImm Mt MCGRATH, paft C5 LOGGERS An athletic and experienced secondary will play a primary role for the Puget Sound Loggers defensively this season. C7 OVERVIEW A team-by-team capsule look at this year's Northwest Conference, plus conference schedules and PLU and UPS rosters. C6-7 HUSKIES PART WITH LB Washington says linebacker E.J. Savannah can transfer to any school, as long as it's not Pac-10. a A QB CONTROVERSY After getting decimated by Cal last week, the Cougars have opened competition at starting quarterback, a NO LONGER IN FIRST Seattle loses at Sacramento, 77-74, knocking the Storm a half-game out of first place in the division, a INSIDE Fishing report Pro baseball Q4 Scoreboard C5 Weather C8.