Greg Oden had his first full contact workout yesterday.

Raul Ibanez had six RBI in a ten-run seventh as the M’s stormed back from a 6-0 deficit to knock Minnesota back into a first-place tie with the Griffey Sox. Down in Tacoma, Matt Tuiasosopo hit a grand slam too.

Hawks backup OL Chris Gray on his retirement, forced by tingling in his back that could’ve led to paralysis (this from the P-I’s Clare Farnsworth): “It hit me like a ton of bricks. My thought was rehab for another week or two, because I’ve been a guy that plays through pain and fights through injuries. When they told me I was done, it was pretty hard for the first day and a half.” Said Holmgren: “When I look back after I’m done, it’s players like Chris Gray that make it absolutely worth it to do this – to coach. He’s that good a guy.”

Dave Boling on Gray: “If you had to make one truly relevant point about his career, it should stand as a high compliment to say that he’s been a guy the Seahawks could win with for most of the past 11 years.”

The Sounders have bid to host the US Open Cup final (should they beat Charleston in the semi next Tuesday). (Via GoalSeattle.)

The latest news about Schultz v. Bennett from the P-I’s Greg Johns.

Molly Yanity has a good recap of the academic/legal issues facing Savannah and Izbicki.

Donald Butler, the Huskies’ best linebacker with Savannah out, talks to Greg Johns about the pressure of the upcoming season: “For me, I put it on the players. Let’s get it done. Obviously it’ll take a collective effort with the coaches being involved, too. But I think they’ll do their part and it’s time for the players to step up and do our part, which is on the field. Everybody has to come together and get wins. I’m tired of losing. Lets get wins and then everybody is happy.”